Investigation Launched into Sig Sauer M18 Pistol After Fatal Incident
The U.S. military is currently looking into the Sig Sauer M18 service pistol following a tragic shooting involving the Air Force Guard. This incident has raised concerns that the firearm might fire without any trigger pull.
The M18 is a military variant of the widely known SIG P320 handgun, which has been at the center of several lawsuits suggesting that it was not properly marketed. After a member of the security forces was fatally shot on Sunday at FE Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, officials decided to halt its standard use across various facilities.
In response, the Air Force Global Strike Command issued a “standdown” command, urging all units to pause operations until an investigation into the safety of the M18 could be conducted.
“We want to ensure there’s nothing wrong with the weapon,” stated Air Force officials. The details surrounding how exactly the weapon discharged remain unclear.
In light of the event, the Army, Navy, and Marines have all chosen to review the situation as well.
Following the incident, Sig Sauer expressed condolences to the affected service members and their families. The company stated, “We are absolutely confident in the military’s ability to conduct thorough investigations and can work with the Air Force and the military to answer their questions.”
The M18 has been in use as the Air Force’s primary pistol since 2019, replacing the M9, which had served for over 30 years. It’s interesting to note that recent investigations have echoed ongoing concerns regarding the SIG P320 series of pistols.
Last year, at the request of the Michigan State Police, the FBI Ballistic Research Facility began examining this firearm series after an incident where a trooper’s pistol discharged unexpectedly.
According to a report, statements indicated that there was never an intentional or careless trigger pull in that specific incident. Shortly after the FBI findings were released, immigration and customs enforcement officers banned the use of the SIG P320 among their agents.
A survey conducted by a noted publication revealed that over 100 individuals reported instances of the handgun firing unexpectedly without trigger engagement. Sig Sauer is currently facing numerous lawsuits in the United States, with at least 77 filed in New Hampshire alone.
The company has consistently denied these allegations, claiming these suits are part of a larger campaign by anti-gun groups and the media. “The P320 cannot be discharged without a trigger pull under any circumstances, and that’s true,” they stated in a March communication. They further insisted that claims of unintentional discharges stem from negligent handling or misinformation.
Investigators have also noted they could not reproduce the alleged “impossible fire” incidents. While the investigation is ongoing, the Air Force’s Global Strike Command has temporarily removed the M18 from service, directing personnel to utilize an M4 rifle instead during this period.
