New Jersey Sues Sig Sauer Over Defective Handguns

Strategic Insights -

New Jersey's Attorney General, Matthew J. Platkin, has announced a lawsuit against Sig Sauer, Inc. for multiple violations of the State's Firearms Industry Public Safety Law and the Consumer Fraud Act (CFA). The lawsuit seeks to halt the sale of the P320 handgun, which has killed at least one New Jersey law enforcement officer and wounded others due to its propensity to fire unintentionally. The complaint alleges that Sig Sauer has continued to sell the P320 despite its well-documented flaws, including its ability to fire without the trigger being pulled.

Key Takeaways:

  • The lawsuit alleges that Sig Sauer's P320 handgun has killed at least one New Jersey law enforcement officer and wounded others due to its propensity to fire unintentionally.
  • The complaint states that Sig Sauer has continued to sell the P320 despite its well-documented flaws, including its ability to fire without the trigger being pulled.
  • The lawsuit seeks a mandatory recall of the P320 handguns, as well as a halt to the company's false and deceptive advertising.
  • Sig Sauer's P320 has been involved in numerous documented cases of unintentional discharges, including incidents where the gun fired while holstered.
  • The FBI has recently evaluated the P320 and found it to be a defective firearm that poses a significant risk to public safety.
  • Numerous police departments around the country have stopped using the P320 due to its safety risks.
  • The State of New Jersey has taken a multipronged strategy to reduce gun violence, including the SAFE Office, which has reduced gun violence in New Jersey to the lowest levels on record for two consecutive years.

Statistics:

  • The P320 has killed at least one New Jersey law enforcement officer and wounded others due to its propensity to fire unintentionally.
  • The gun has been involved in numerous documented cases of unintentional discharges, including instances where it fired while holstered.
  • The lawsuit seeks damages, restitution, and expenses for the harm caused by the P320.
  • Shooting incidents in New Jersey are down by more than 25 percent through the end of August compared to last year.
  • Fatal shootings are down more than 35 percent.

Sources:

  • [1] "New Jersey Sues Sig Sauer Over Defective Handguns." Office of the Attorney General, The State of New Jersey, 2023.
  • [2] Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and colleagues. "Complaint for Declaratory Judgment and Injunctive Relief." New Jersey Superior Court, Chancery Division, 2023.