SEATTLE — The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission has temporarily banned recruits from using the SIG Sauer P320 handgun in training, citing concerns over reports that the firearm could discharge without the trigger being pulled, The Seattle Times reported.
Executive Director Monica Alexander issued the order on Feb. 24, following a temporary ban put in place after an October 2024 incident at the Basic Law Enforcement Academy in Spokane, according to the WSCJTC report. A recruit alleged that his P320 discharged while he was drawing it, despite his finger not being on the trigger. The bullet struck the ground and fragmented, injuring an instructor and another recruit. A WSCJTC firearms instructor who witnessed the event confirmed that the recruit’s finger was not inside the trigger guard at the time of discharge.
Following the incident, WSCJTC formed a workgroup to review the issue. According to the workgroup’s report, the group examined multiple lawsuits, investigative reports and body-worn camera footage of similar incidents, including police firearms discharging while holstered. Lawsuits have been filed against SIG Sauer, with jury awards totaling millions for individuals injured by unintended discharges.
SIG Sauer representatives participated in the workgroup’s review and maintained that the P320 cannot fire without a trigger pull. They pointed to independent laboratory testing that found no evidence of parts slippage, primer deformation or mechanical failure. The company’s presentation emphasized that for an “involuntary discharge” to occur, three separate safety mechanisms would have to fail simultaneously.
However, Alexander said the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution” for recruit and staff safety, according to the Seattle Times.
The commission emphasized that it was not its role to determine the firearm’s mechanical reliability but rather to ensure a safe training environment.
Some law enforcement agencies had already discontinued the use of the P320 prior to WSCJTC’s decision. The Seattle Times noted that Vancouver Police Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Pierce County Sheriff’s Department previously prohibited their officers from carrying the firearm due to concerns over unintended discharges.
The P320 remains widely used, including by the U.S. military in its M17 and M18 service pistols.
