Posted by : Russell Maas

Plaintiffs claim the manufacturer knew about problems with Sig Sauer P320 pistols unintentional discharging, since at least 2014.

Following more than 100 reports of Sig Sauer P320 firearms accidentally discharging, a group of plaintiffs have filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer, claiming the pistol contains a defective and dangerous design, which makes the gun prone to fire without pulling the trigger.

The complaint (PDF) was filed in the U.S. District Court District of New Hampshire on November 30 by twenty individuals who allege that the Sig Sauer P320 pistol fails to meet industry-standard safety features, and has caused consumers to suffer gunshot wound injuries as a result of the pistol unintentionally discharging without pulling the trigger.

The group of plaintiffs named in the lawsuit includes many federal law enforcement agents, police officers, combat veterans, detectives, firearms instructors, and trained and certified gun owners from Texas, Georgia, Connecticut, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Virginia, Louisiana, Florida, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Washington, and New Jersey.

According to the Sig Sauer P320 lawsuit, consumers claim there are more than 100 documented incidents of the pistol unintentionally discharging in which the trigger was not pulled. Of these instances, many have involved law enforcement or highly trained personnel.

One incident occurred in 2015 when a Pennsylvania State Trooper and firearms instructor killed another trooper with his Sig Sauer pistol when it discharged without a trigger pull while conducting safety training.

Additional reports outlined in the complaint include 10 P320 discharges by New York City Police from 2012 through 2015, and an incident recorded on an officer’s body-worn camera showing a P320 discharged without trigger pull when exiting the vehicle.

Sig Sauer Knew About Discharges Since 2014, Lawsuit Claims

Plaintiffs argue that Sig Sauer has known of these hazards since the P320 platform was introduced in 2014, and was even aware of nearly 200 malfunctions during testing while competing for a $580 million contract with the U.S. Army around 2016.

The lawsuit states Sig Sauer, Inc. knew or should have known that the P320 platform was capable of firing unintentionally due to defective components and/or the lack of necessary safety features, including but not limited to: a manual safety, a tabbed trigger safety, a de-cocker, a hinged trigger, and/or grip safety.

However, despite the reports, the manufacturer has maintained claims in its marketing material for the gun indicating it is safe. In a Safety Without Compromise marketing material the manufacturer states. “We’ve designed safety elements into every necessary feature on this pistol From the trigger to the striker and even the magazine, the P320 won’t fire unless you want it to”, the advertisement read.

As a result of the manufacturer’s alleged failure to properly manufacture, design, and test the firearm before introducing it to commerce, plaintiffs have brought forth allegations against Sig Sauer Inc., that include negligence, strict product liability, and violations of the New Hampshire Consumer Protection Act and loss of consortium.

Tags: Firearms, Pistol, Police Shooting, Sig Sauer

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Russell Maas

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