North Carolina is a diverse state with natural and cultural features that are appealing to residents and visitors alike. There are three main geographic regions in North Carolina: the Appalachian Highlands, the Piedmont and the Coastal Plain. Each of these regions has a different geological, ecological and cultural history. North Carolina’s state parks reflect that diversity. With 36 state parks, 19 state natural areas and four state recreation areas, the system of parks stretches from the highest sand dune on the East Coast at Jockey’s Ridge to Mount Mitchell, the highest mountain peak east of the Mississippi River. In between these points, the state’s park lands consist of forests, rivers, lakes and swamps that are the home to many different species of animal and plant life. North Carolina’s state park rangers protect these priceless resources while also protecting and educating people.
A staff of 208 park rangers and park superintendents, all of whom are commissioned law enforcement officers, serve and educate these visitors. As law enforcement officers, park rangers are required to train with and carry handguns. GLOCK pistols, namely the GLOCK 21 and GLOCK 22, are the standard-issue sidearms for North Carolina’s state park rangers.
State Park Sentinels
In North Carolina, state park rangers are considered multi-purpose specialists, performing tasks ranging from resource protection to education to public safety. Thus, park rangers need versatile pistols.
Known for its accuracy and light recoil, the GLOCK 21 is chambered in .45 AUTO and has a 13-round magazine capacity. The GLOCK 22 in .40 features a 15-round magazine and is one of the most popular law enforcement handguns in North Carolina. GLOCK SAFE ACTION pistols first entered service with North Carolina state park rangers in 1999, when they replaced the legacy .38 Special revolvers then in use.
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