--- title: "New Jersey Attorney General issues P320 safety alert amidst lawsuit against SIG Sauer" date: "2026-10-29" modified: "2026-10-29" authors: - name: "Miguel Ortiz" job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/miguelortiz.md" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/tactical/new-jersey-issues-p320-safety-alert-lawsuit-sig-sauer/" categories: - "Tactical" - "Weapons" tags: - "Weapons" --- # New Jersey Attorney General issues P320 safety alert amidst lawsuit against SIG Sauer ![sig sauer m17 lawsuit army]() *Sgt. Anthony Adame reloads his Sig Sauer M17 pistol during range qualification. (U.S. Army/Sgt. Aaron Kaczur,* On Oct. 28, 2026 the State of New Jersey Office of Policing Strategy & Innovation (OPSI) issued an Officer Safety Alert regarding the SIG Sauer P320 pistol. “The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Office, has serious safety concerns regarding the Sig Sauer P320 pistol,” the [alert]() reads. “The SAFE Office has filed a lawsuit against Sig Sauer detailing many incidents of the gun firing without a trigger pull, causing serious injury.” **Also Read: [The P320 is so safe and reliable that SIG released the P385]()** The [lawsuit](), filed in October 2025, highlights a 2022 incident where a police officer attending a firearms course at the New Jersey State Police Academy allegedly experienced an uncommanded discharge of his P320 service weapon after holstering it. Moreover, it describes the officer as “an experienced New Jersey law enforcement officer,” one of many who have encountered alleged uncommanded discharges. In all instances, the New Jersey Attorney General alleges that the trigger was not pulled. In November 2025, SIG Sauer removed the lawsuit from New Jersey Superior Court to the U.S. District Court of New Jersey. The state sought to have it returned to the state court and, in July 2026, a federal judge recommended remanding the case. According to [Law360](), the judge’s recommendation was made because SIG Sauer had not established that the case belonged in federal court. ![sig sauer M17 new jersey lawsuit]() *The military's P320-based M17 and M18 handguns feature thumb safeties. (U.S. Marine Corps/Cpl. Hunter Jones)* So, why the sudden alert by the Attorney General, shared at the AG’s request by the New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police? The FOP had no statement beyond confirming that the OPSI asked them to share the alert. In addition to the allegations of uncommanded P320 discharges, the alert notes that federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies had discontinued the pistol’s use. Additionally, the alert encourages New Jersey law enforcement personnel to exercise caution when coming in contact with a P320, “especially when handling or making safe during arrest/investigation situations.” New Jersey's Attorney General declined to comment on the lawsuit, the move, or the alert. Similarly, SIG Sauer declined to comment, but referred to their [P320 Truth website]() which highlights testing published by the Air Force and Department of Defense, as well as recent court cases. SIG Sauer maintains that "The P320 CANNOT, under any circumstances, discharge without a trigger pull—that is a fact." The lawsuit brought by New Jersey remains in limbo. If it does go before a judge, the state's case focuses on the fact that the P320's striker is fully cocked. In contrast, Glock's Safe Action striker mechanism is partially cocked, only fully cocking and releasing with the trigger pull. This results in a more "squishy" Glock trigger compared to the crisper P320 trigger. ![sig lawsuit back plate]() *TACOM issued instructions to secure M18 rear sight plates in response to high rates of separation in the faces of troops. (Instagram @lynndons)* New Jersey's lawsuit alleges that "preventing unwanted discharges of the P320 depends on the combination of a very sensitive trigger and the precise position and quality of other movable parts subject to foreseeable wear and tear. Far too often, under ordinary use, the P320 striker unintentionally releases, which causes it to impact the chambered round, firing the gun." Without getting too deep into the engineering, it sounds like the state is alleging that tolerance stacking/failure in the P320's internal trigger components, like the striker sear and safety lock, are to blame for the pistol's alleged uncommanded discharges. New Jersey seeks to halt P320 sales, blaming the weapon for the death of a local law enforcement officer and the wounding of other officers and civilians around the state. Additionally, New Jersey calls for the P320 to be recalled and for SIG to halt what the AG's office calls "false and deceptive advertising" regarding the pistol's safety. Editor's Note: This article has been update to note the Office of the Attorney General of New Jersey declined to comment. **Don’t Miss the Best of We Are The Mighty** **• [A new patent says the Sig Sauer P320 is unsafe—but offers a fix]()** **• [3 great chassis options for different budgets to turn your pistol into a PDW]()** **• [Canadian soldier sues SIG Sauer for alleged P320 uncommanded discharge]()** ## Author Miguel Ortiz is a Senior Contributor for We Are The Mighty covering primarily military news and history with an emphasis on weapons technology. He is a former active duty Army officer and remains a member of the Army IRR. After commissioning through San Diego State University Army ROTC, Miguel served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. He has written for We Are The Mighty since 2020, drawing from his passion for the military community and history. Miguel’s work has also been seen on Business Insider and The Blast. He remains an avid shooter, competing in local USPSA matches. Miguel’s other hobbies are traveling and watch collecting. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]() ## More - [What troops really think of the Army’s new XM7 rifle]() - [The military’s latest handgun might not be safe]() - [The War on Terror’s iconic FN SCAR is dead]() - [The M60 ‘Pig’ caught plenty of hate, but the love was real]() - [A new patent says the Sig Sauer P320 is unsafe—but offers a fix]() - [SIG P320 engineering review recommended in Marine Corps report]() - [Navy awards 7-year, $22.9B Tomahawk missile contract to Raytheon]() - [9 reasons why the 1911 should be America’s national weapon]()