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When Safety Is on the Line: Sig Sauer P320 Lawsuits and an Airman’s Tragic Death Prompt Global Review...

In March 2025, a coalition of law enforcement officers, military veterans and civilians filed 22 civil lawsuits against Newington, New Hampshire‑based Sig Sauer, alleging that the company’s flagship P320 pistol can fire “suddenly and unexpectedly” without an intentional pull of the trigger. 

Within weeks, those legal challenges were eclipsed by a far more sobering development: the suspension of the military’s M18 variant of the P320 across the Air Force Global Strike Command, after a Wyoming airman was fatally shot last weekend on F.E. Warren Air Force Base.

Civil Claims Mount Against the P320

The 22 new lawsuits, brought in various federal courts, echo dozens of earlier complaints claiming the P320 has a design or manufacturing flaw making it prone to unintentional discharges. 

“User‑victims are being shot by P320s when their hands aren’t even on the gun,” said attorney Robert Zimmerman, who has led multiple cases against Sig Sauer. 

Victims describe life‑altering injuries inflicted by weapons that “fired without anyone touching the trigger,” according to court filings.

Sig Sauer has consistently dismissed such claims. 

“The P320 pistol, like all firearms, is designed to discharge only when the trigger is pulled. 

The new complaint makes clear that for each of these plaintiffs, the P320 involved had the trigger pulled by the user,” company spokesperson Samantha Piatt told NHPR. 

“This is not a defect.” In 2017, after an online gun retailer raised concerns over drop‑firing risks, Sig Sauer launched a voluntary upgrade program—adding a new trigger mechanism intended to improve safety.

Despite voluntary upgrades, litigation has persisted. 

Sig Sauer reports settling some suits and prevailing in others—most notably winning a recent case in Puerto Rico—while juries in Georgia and Pennsylvania have returned multi‑million‑dollar verdicts in favor of injured gun owners.

Military’s M18 Withdrawn Amid Fatal Incident

On July 20, 2025, an airman was killed on F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, when his issued M18 sidearm discharged. 

The Global Strike Command’s leader immediately ordered an “immediate pause” on the use of Sig Sauer’s M18 pistol pending a “comprehensive review,” according to a memo from the command.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of a valued member of our Mighty Ninety team,” Col. Terry Holmes said in a base statement. 

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the Airman’s family, friends, and his fellow Defenders during this incredibly difficult time.” 

A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed the suspension affects more than 33,000 personnel under Global Strike Command, though it remains unclear whether other military units will heed the review’s findings.

Nearly all U.S. military branches adopted the M17/M18 series—civilian P320 variants—following rigorous testing. 

Nevertheless, unintentional discharges have been documented in military records, even after Sig Sauer’s voluntary safety enhancements. 

An NHPR investigation found multiple instances of accidental firings in U.S. bases worldwide, although the Department of Defense insists the pistols remain safe for service use.

Industry Girds for a Legal and Safety Reckoning

Sig Sauer has framed the legal and military pushback as part of a “lawfare” campaign against the firearms industry. 

“Industry, take notice; what’s happening today to Sig Sauer with the anti‑gun mob and their lawfare tactics will happen tomorrow at another firearms manufacturer,” the company posted on X. 

Meanwhile, in March 2025, New Hampshire legislators amended state law to shield Sig Sauer from liability concerning safety features, a move applauded by the gunmaker as a protection against “lies and misinformation.”

As lawsuits, jury verdicts and military investigations converge, Sig Sauer faces perhaps its sternest test since launching the P320. 

For gun owners, law enforcement and service members, the stakes could not be higher: confidence in the safety of a sidearm rests on both engineering integrity and rigorous oversight. 

The next chapters of litigation and review will determine whether the P320 platform can live up to its widespread use—or whether a deeper redesign is imperative to prevent further tragedy.


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#SigSauer #P320Lawsuits #M18Suspension #FirearmSafety #MilitarySidearm #UserSafety #WeaponDesign #Lawfare #ArmedForces #GunLiability #TriggerPullMyth #AFGSCReview #MightyNinety #AutoDischarge #GunIndustry

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