The paper also presents a case history of the firearms policy of a Federal probation district and the development of the Federal probation system's national policy. Much of the research which is available reinforces what many probation and parole officers have known for years: many officers want the right to carry arms. In the southern district of Texas, the consensus of the judges is that it should be left to the discretion of the probation officer as to whether or not they should carry firearms. In California, the State parole agents association sued the agency for the right to carry firearms and won. The evidence shows that probation and parole officers are interested in carrying firearms, and many are either authorized to carry them or do so in violation of law or policy. Approximately 65 percent of the probation districts in the Federal system allow officers to be armed. Nationally, officers have not abused the authority to carry arms. More officers will become armed as increasingly dangerous offenders are placed on supervision due to prison crowding and as more emphasis is placed on control and surveillance. 1 note, 33 references.