Houston, TX, September 13, 2025
News Summary
A series of incidents involving the SIG SAUER P320 handgun has raised safety alarms among law enforcement in Texas. Officers report that the gun can unexpectedly discharge from a holster without trigger interaction, leading to injuries. The troubling pattern has prompted several police departments to withdraw the firearm from service, despite the company’s claims of its safety. Affected officers are advocating for accountability and seeking actions such as recalls or public warnings due to the risks associated with the P320.
Houston, Texas – A series of alarming incidents involving the SIG SAUER P320 handgun has raised serious safety concerns among law enforcement officers across Texas. Reports indicate that some officers claim the weapon discharges unexpectedly from its holstered position, often without the trigger being pulled.
The most recent incident occurred on January 20, 2024, when Senior Police Officer Richard Fernandez suffered a gunshot wound to his leg while directing traffic at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade. Officer Fernandez heard a muffled sound as the bullet passed through his right calf, causing severe nerve damage. At the time, his hands were not near the firearm.
In a troubling pattern, similar accounts have surfaced from over 100 officers nationwide, drawing attention to the potential dangers posed by the P320. On September 20, 2024, Officer Hunter Gally’s gun discharged while he was reaching into his patrol cruiser, striking him in the leg. Eyewitness testimony and surveillance footage corroborated his account, supporting claims of unintended discharge. Furthermore, on May 9, 2024, Officer Kevin Currington reported that his holstered P320 shot him in the leg while he was simply walking, confirming that he was not touching his weapon at that moment. Body camera footage from Currington’s incident displayed that the firearm was securely holstered.
These events are part of a larger concern, with at least 80 documented cases of the P320 firing unintentionally since 2016, prompting rising fears among officers about the reliability of the service weapon. In response to the troubling reports, several law enforcement agencies, including those in Houston, Marble Falls, LaGrange, and Austin, have decided to withdraw the P320 from their arsenals. Additionally, the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command halted the use of its variant, the M18, after a fatal incident but later resumed use following enhanced inspection procedures.
Despite these incidents, SIG SAUER maintains that the P320 is safe and asserts that verified discharges are a result of improper handling. The company also insists that the P320 meets all established safety standards. However, affected officers and their representatives express frustration at the company’s denial of the firearm’s issues. They are calling for accountability and significant action to mitigate the risk of future incidents.
Attorney Jeff Bagnell, representing several injured officers, is advocating for a recall or public warning regarding the P320 and its potential for unintended discharge. Bagnell pointed out that SIG’s internal documents suggest that vibrations could cause issues within the firearm’s internals, indicating potential weaknesses in its design. Officer Gally further articulated concerns about the dangers posed by the P320 to children, emphasizing that a discharged firearm could potentially harm individuals, including young children, when interacted with at eye level.
As the number of reported incidents continues to rise, many officers across various states are voicing similar concerns regarding the P320, raising significant worries about the overall safety of the weapon. Since securing a $580 million military contract in 2017 for the supply of the P320, there have been increasing questions about the firearm’s long-term reliability and overall safety for its users.
FAQ
What is the SIG SAUER P320?
The SIG SAUER P320 is a modular, semi-automatic handgun popular among police departments and military branches in the U.S.
What incidents have been reported involving the P320?
Officers across Texas and other states have reported unintended discharges of the P320, often while holstered, leading to injuries.
What has SIG SAUER said in response to these claims?
SIG SAUER has denied the allegations, claiming that the P320 is safe and cannot fire unless improperly handled.
What actions have been taken by law enforcement agencies?
Several police departments across Texas have withdrawn the P320 from service amid rising safety concerns.
What are officers calling for regarding the P320?
Officers affected by incidents involving the P320 are seeking accountability from SIG SAUER and are pushing for a recall or public warnings about the weapon.
Key Features of the SIG SAUER P320 Incident
| Date of Incident | Officer Involved | Location | Details of Incident |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 20, 2024 | Richard Fernandez | Houston, TX | Gun discharged while holstered, causing injury to his leg. |
| September 20, 2024 | Hunter Gally | Not specified | Gun discharged while reaching into cruiser, causing leg injury. |
| May 9, 2024 | Kevin Currington | Not specified | Gun discharged while walking, causing leg injury. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- CBS Austin: Texas Officers Sound Alarm On SIG SAUER P320
- Wikipedia: SIG Sauer P320
- CBS Austin: Texas Officer Injured By SIG SAUER P320
- Google Search: SIG SAUER P320
- Statesman: Truly Texan Podcast With Michael Cargill
- Google Scholar: SIG SAUER P320 Safety
- News Times: CT Police SIG SAUER Guns Safety
- Encyclopedia Britannica: SIG SAUER P320
- Guns.com: Texas Department Of Safety Chooses SIG SAUER P320
- Google News: SIG SAUER P320 Incidents
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