The Iowa Department of Public Safety recently returned all of its M&P duty pistols and placed three “high ranking” officials on administrative leave according to an Associated Press article.

According to the article, the state contract used to purchase the pistols is “the subject of an internal investigation.” No specific information has been released regarding what in the purchasing process may have violated the state regulations on the handgun purchase.

Nearly 800 pistols were returned to Smith & Wesson.

While there is reference to an unspecified safety concern with the new pistols, the article clearly suggests that irregularities within the purchasing process are the cause for the investigation and return of the pistols.

Additional information on this can be found here and here.