In the 1990s, Interarms, a firearms importer based in Alexandra, Va., sought a new handgun manufacturers to replace the Walther PP and PPK, which it was possibly going to lose as one of its lines.

Ironically, if it weren’t for the Gun Control Act (GCA) of 1968 we would not have the Walther PPK/S. ... (Manurhin) in France, with Interarms of Alexandria, Va., as the U.S. importer.

The PPK was also manufactured in 7.65 Browning, .22 Long Rifle, 6.35-millimeter ACP, and 9-millimeter Short, ... From the 1980s to 2002 the PPKS was made by Interarms, ...