TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Thursday that the state has filed a lawsuit against Sig Sauer, Inc., alleging multiple violations of New Jersey’s Firearms Industry Public Safety Law and the Consumer Fraud Act over the company’s P320 handgun, which officials say has a “well-documented propensity to fire unintentionally.”
The lawsuit, filed by the Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement Office (SAFE) and the Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA), seeks a mandatory recall of the P320 and an end to what the state calls “false and deceptive advertising” about the weapon’s safety.
“We ask law enforcement officers to put their life on the line every single day to protect the public. Gun manufacturers have a moral duty to ensure that those brave officers are not put in harm’s way because of defective weapons,” Platkin said. “Officers, as well as civilians, in New Jersey and across the country have suffered immense harm as a result of Sig Sauer’s actions and brazen deceptions, which is why we are filing this lawsuit today. No one is above the law — and if you break our laws, we will hold you accountable.”
According to the lawsuit, the P320 has unintentionally discharged in multiple incidents involving law enforcement officers and civilians in New Jersey and nationwide, including a fatal 2023 incident in which Orange Police Detective Lt. Walter Imbert was killed when his P320 allegedly fired while being cleaned. Evidence from the scene indicated his finger was not on the trigger, officials said.
State officials argue that while Sig Sauer advertises that the P320 “won’t fire unless you want it to,” the firearm can discharge due to routine movements, vibrations, or impacts — even when holstered.
The complaint also claims Sig Sauer misled consumers by promoting the P320 as the “Official Sidearm of the U.S. Military” without disclosing that military versions were modified to include an external safety feature not found on standard civilian or law enforcement models.
“In any other industry, when a product causes severe injuries and deaths, its manufacturer would swiftly investigate and issue a recall,” said SAFE Director Ravi Ramanathan. “Instead of doing the right thing, Sig Sauer chose to double down and blame victims for the P320’s flaws. That indefensible choice puts the public and our law enforcement at risk, and we will hold Sig Sauer accountable for it.”
“This lawsuit is about Sig Sauer prioritizing profit over consumer safety,” said Elizabeth M. Harris, acting director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “Any company doing business in New Jersey will be held accountable for making false claims about the products they sell, especially when those misrepresentations put our residents in grave danger of serious bodily injury or death.”
The lawsuit notes that law enforcement agencies across the U.S. — including departments in Denver, Houston, Milwaukee, Chicago, and San Antonio — have stopped using the P320 due to safety concerns.
State officials said the action against Sig Sauer is part of a broader public safety strategy that has contributed to the lowest levels of gun violence in New Jersey’s recorded history. Shooting incidents are down more than 25 percent compared to last year, and fatal shootings are down over 35 percent, according to data from the New Jersey State Police.
Filed in New Jersey Superior Court, Chancery Division, the lawsuit demands that Sig Sauer recall P320 handguns in New Jersey at its own expense, cease marketing them as safe from unintended discharge, and pay damages, restitution, and costs.
