HOUSTON -- Hundreds of Houston police officers may be carrying weapons that could accidentally fire at any moment, KPRC Local 2 reported Thursday.

The Houston Police Department's Firearms Academy discovered the problem with the Smith and Wesson model 4003 and sent a warning memo to officers.

The gun potentially has a hidden problem that could cause it to discharge when someone engages the safety device after it has been cocked, the station reported.

The weapon may have developed a crack that is only visible if the gun is taken apart.

HPD sent out the following memo to hundreds of officers.

"Due to the serious nature of a potential accidental discharge by decocking the pistol in an unconventional manner, you are being notified."

"Officers have been asked to bring that weapon in for inspection. Specifically, some of the weapons have developed cracks in the frame and they wanted to make sure that's not the case with the majority of the weapons out there," said Sgt. Nate McDouell, an HPD spokesman. "Officers are allowed to carry a variety of weapons and this only represents a small portion of the weapons carried."

Police officials said that only eight or nine officers' guns have been found with the potential crack thus far. HPD headquarters told KPRC Local 2 that less than 150 officers carry that model and most have been checked.

"If there is a problem detected, Smith and Wesson has agreed to repair those weapons at no charge and officers are having those taken care of," McDouell said.

The model 4003 is a 40-caliber semi-automatic handgun, which is popular with newer officers and some specialized units on the force.