The controversy surrounding the SIG Sauer P320 pistol has reached new heights in 2025 as police departments, training academies, and even private institutions have begun to question the gun’s safety. What began as scattered reports of alleged unintentional discharges has now snowballed into public bans, lawsuits, and intense media coverage. At the center of it all stands SIG Sauer, the New Hampshire-based manufacturer of the P320, now mounting a vigorous legal and public relations defense of its flagship sidearm.
Washington Training Commission Sparks Outrage
The latest spark came from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC), which banned the P320, along with its military counterparts, the M17 and M18, from all state training academies. According to an official statement released by SIG Sauer on April 18, 2025, this ban was “based solely upon inaccurate and incomplete information.” The company emphasized that the Commission’s own report failed to provide reliable evidence or supportable conclusions. The ban, SIG contends, has effectively barred officers from training on the very firearms many of them carry on duty.
SIG Sauer Fires Back
In response to the ban, SIG Sauer and other unnamed parties filed a formal appeal. In their official statement, the company asserted their commitment to standing by law enforcement professionals and pledged to “zealously defend” the P320 family of pistols. The manufacturer also launched a dedicated website – P320Truth.com – to provide what it calls “accurate facts” about the pistol in the face of what it views as a coordinated misinformation campaign.
A String of Incidents – But Is the Gun to Blame?
The Washington ban came after a body camera incident in Kitsap County showed a deputy’s holstered P320 discharging during a physical struggle with a suspect. No one was harmed, but the gun had allegedly fired without being touched. As reported by KING 5 News in Seattle, this event triggered an internal investigation that concluded a strand from the officer’s handcuffs may have slipped into the holster and pulled the trigger.
Despite the finding that the P320 may not have been at fault, the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department committed up to $400,000 to switch all deputies to new sidearms made by Shadow Systems. “We want our deputies to have a safe, dependable weapon,” said Sheriff John Gese, acknowledging that the department could no longer afford public doubt in its issued firearm.
Tactical Schools Join the Exodus
The ripple effects have moved beyond public agencies. The Tactical Defense Institute (TDI), a prominent private training facility, announced on Facebook that it would no longer allow any version of the SIG P320 in its courses. The decision, they said, came after “growing instances” where the gun discharged without the trigger being pulled. TDI emphasized its duty to protect students and staff, stating bluntly, “We believe this decision to be in the best interest of our students and staff.”
SIG’s Public Relations Counteroffensive
In addition to appealing the Washington ban, SIG Sauer issued a blistering public statement asserting that “the P320 cannot under any circumstances discharge without a trigger pull.” The company blamed the accusations on “anti-gunners, trial lawyers, and agenda-driven media,” positioning the current backlash as part of a broader assault on Second Amendment rights.
Jon Patton, host of The Gun Collective, covered the SIG press release in a recent video, calling it one of the most aggressive PR moves in recent firearms history. Patton admitted he owns a P320 and has had no issues, but acknowledged the rising unease. “I want to trust that the gun isn’t a problem,” he said, but conceded that the constant flow of reports has given him pause.
Law Enforcement Pushback
Not all police departments are following the Commission’s lead. As KING 5’s Chris Ingalls reported, departments in Bellevue and Kirkland voiced sharp opposition to the P320 ban. Emails obtained through public records showed Bellevue officers calling the directive “outrageous” and accusing CJTC officials of ignoring expert feedback. Bellevue’s firearms coordinator, Officer Anthony Felder, said the new requirement forced recruits to train with “poorly maintained loaner equipment,” risking failure on qualification tests.
Lieutenant Troy Knafla of the Kirkland Police Department similarly defended the P320, writing, “SIG has proved it cannot fire without a trigger pull.” These departments continue to issue P320s to their officers and stand by their decision.
Legal Settlements Cloud the Picture
One of the complexities in the P320 debate is the lack of transparent legal outcomes. KING 5 noted that a Pierce County man who sued SIG over an alleged negligent discharge settled his case out of court. Like many other lawsuits, the terms were confidential, and the plaintiff declined to comment. These sealed settlements, while not confirming guilt, prevent definitive public answers and fuel ongoing speculation.
A Divide Between Law and Politics
The clash over the P320 also highlights a deeper tension between firearm policy and police practicality. As SIG argues in its appeal, depriving recruits of the chance to train with the weapon they’ll actually carry can have real-world consequences. Even if some incidents stem from user error or holster incompatibility, as was the case with the handcuff interference in Kitsap, perception alone has driven institutions to abandon the P320. This speaks to a broader issue: in policing, public confidence often carries more weight than the facts.
Is Media Attention Amplifying the Problem?
While SIG Sauer points to “agenda-driven” media as a culprit, Jon Patton of The Gun Collective offered a more nuanced take. He noted that the volume of reported incidents with the P320 seems higher than with other pistols, but acknowledged it may be due to over-reporting rather than actual mechanical failures. “It’s sort of becoming a circular thing,” Patton said, suggesting that the P320 might be caught in a feedback loop of attention that exaggerates its real-world flaws.
A Pattern of Legal and Tactical Realignment
The ongoing friction is prompting a realignment across the firearms landscape. Whether from fear of litigation, risk management, or institutional politics, the P320 is being quietly, or not so quietly, phased out of certain spaces. The fact that departments must now spend hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to replace pistols without proven defects underscores how perception, not just performance, drives policy.
SIG’s Uphill Battle
The future of the P320 remains uncertain. On one hand, SIG Sauer is standing its ground with legal appeals, dedicated truth campaigns, and public defenses. On the other, training institutions and even veteran officers are jumping ship amid growing liability concerns. It’s a classic case of industry vs. optics, science vs. fear, and manufacturer vs. bureaucracy.
If SIG is correct that these discharges are always triggered by something, be it holster design, user error, or foreign objects, it may still face an uphill climb. In the court of public opinion, especially in law enforcement circles where split-second decisions matter, reputation often outweighs engineering.
To learn more, check out the official statement by SIG Sauer here, the KING 5 News video here, the Tactical Defense Institute Facebook statement here, and The Gun Collective’s video here.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.