A Washington judge has affirmed a controversial ban on the Sig Sauer P320 handgun at the state’s primary law enforcement training facility, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal dispute surrounding the popular firearm. The ruling from Thurston County Superior Court Judge Carol Murphy denies Sig Sauer’s petition to reverse the prohibition, a decision with wide-reaching implications for police agencies and firearm manufacturers across the region.
The prohibition at the Washington Criminal Justice Training Center (WSCJTC) was initially enacted last year by Executive Director Monica Alexander following a concerning incident where a recruit’s P320 reportedly discharged without the trigger being pulled during a training exercise. Although no injuries occurred, the event prompted an immediate temporary ban, which was later made permanent in March after a task force examining the firearm’s safety returned inconclusive findings.
Sig Sauer, a prominent firearms manufacturer, has vehemently contested the ban, asserting that its P320, including the M17 and M18 military variants, incorporates five distinct internal safety features designed to prevent accidental firing. The company’s public statements emphasize the rigorous testing and reliability of their weapon, which is widely adopted by law enforcement and military personnel, alongside its popularity among civilian gun owners.
The lawsuit filed by Sig Sauer contended that the WSCJTC and Alexander had “exceeded their authority” in implementing the ban. Furthermore, the company accused Alexander of making “disparaging public comments” about Sig Sauer, seeking a judicial order to restrict her from making statements outside her official duties and authority, highlighting the escalating tensions in this high-stakes legal challenge.
In defense of the WSCJTC, Deputy Attorney General Justin Kato argued that Sig Sauer’s attempts to attribute its business and reputational challenges to the academy were unfounded. Kato underscored the numerous reported incidents nationwide involving the P320 improperly firing, suggesting a broader pattern of concern rather than an isolated issue originating from the training center’s actions.
Judge Carol Murphy ultimately denied Sig Sauer’s petition for reversal, clarifying that her decision was not based on the merits of the broader case regarding the P320’s safety, but rather on the legal grounds of the petition itself. This means the core legal battle concerning the firearm’s design and the legitimacy of the ban will continue to proceed through the courts, ensuring further scrutiny of the weapon’s safety protocols and the academy’s authority.
The sustained ban carries significant financial implications for police departments that issue P320s to their officers. Agencies like Bellevue and Kirkland have voiced concerns, with public records indicating they are transitioning to new firearm models. These departments emphasize the critical need for recruits to train with the same firearms they will carry in the field, especially given the high-stress, life-or-death situations officers frequently encounter.
Anacortes Police Chief Dave Floyd provided a candid perspective, revealing his department is now compelled to purchase 35 new handguns from FN Firearms, incurring an estimated cost of $35,000 to replace P320s, some of which are still new in their packaging. Chief Floyd stated, “I’ve seen nothing personally that causes me concern and, if it were not for the ban from the CJTC, we would not be switching to a different issued firearm,” underscoring the direct impact of the training center’s mandate on local law enforcement budgets and operational choices.
