The United States Air Force Global Strike Command has suspended the use of the M18 sidearm following the tragic death of an airman at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The command announced the decision on Monday, stating that all Security Forces airmen across the command’s bases would conduct inspections of the M18 handguns to identify any potential safety issues.
Airman Brayden Lovan, 21, was killed in the incident, which occurred on Sunday. Lovan was part of the 90th Security Forces Squadron and had recently begun his active-duty service in November 2023. Details surrounding the circumstances of his death are currently undisclosed, pending an ongoing investigation.
Lt. Raegan Lockhart, public affairs officer for the 90th Missile Wing, commented that the timeline for the investigation remains unknown. Col. Jeremy Sheppard, commander of the 90th Security Forces Group, expressed condolences, highlighting the importance of supporting Lovan’s family and friends during this difficult time.
The M18 pistol, manufactured by New Hampshire-based Sig Sauer, has received scrutiny in the past concerning unintentional discharge allegations. This firearm is a variant of the P320 pistol, which faces multiple lawsuits claiming that it can discharge without a trigger pull. Sig Sauer has maintained that such incidents are due to user error and asserts the safety of the P320.
In a recent statement posted on Facebook, Sig Sauer expressed its condolences to the service members and their families affected by the incident at F.E. Warren Air Force Base. The P320 design, adopted by the U.S. military as the M17 and M18, serves as the official sidearm across all branches of the military. As of 2019, Sig Sauer proudly noted that it had delivered over 100,000 M17 and M18 pistols to the military.
At this time, the pause in M18 use is confined to the Global Strike Command, which encompasses over 33,700 airmen and civilians. Neither the wider Air Force nor other military branches have implemented similar orders regarding the M18 pistol, although the Army has stated it will continue to monitor the situation.
The Marine Corps, which also utilizes the M18, affirmed that the firearm underwent rigorous testing to meet Department of Defense standards before its selection for service. A statement from the Marine Corps declared that no evidence indicating a design or manufacturing flaw had been observed.
An ongoing thorough review of the M18 is being spearheaded by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, in collaboration with the Air Force Security Forces Center and Headquarters Air Force Security Forces. Sig Sauer has offered its assistance in this review.
The P320 was introduced into service in 2014, with a voluntary upgrade provided by Sig Sauer in 2017 that aimed to reduce trigger weight and improve other features. Despite these improvements, lawyers representing plaintiffs in lawsuits assert that the upgrade did not effectively mitigate risks of unintentional discharges, which have implicated officers and law enforcement agencies.
Earlier this year, Sig Sauer attempted to appeal a ban on the P320, M17, and M18 pistols imposed by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. This ban followed an incident where a recruit reported that his P320 discharged unexpectedly while he was drawing it, without his finger on the trigger.
Recently, Sig Sauer announced that Michigan State Police would adopt the M18 as their primary sidearm, indicating continued confidence in the model despite the legal challenges it faces. The company is currently involved in several significant multi-plaintiff lawsuits in federal court in New Hampshire, with allegations directed at them involving negligence, defective product design, and marketing practices.
An additional lawsuit in Pennsylvania claims wrongful death connected to the P320. Plaintiffs in these suits highlight that the design’s lack of an external mechanical safety, which is optional, is a significant concern. The latest New Hampshire case, which represents 22 plaintiffs across 16 states, was filed in March, and discussions regarding court motions to address these claims are ongoing.
As investigations continue, the Air Force’s decision to halt the use of the M18 highlights a critical moment for military safety protocols and firearm usage standards within the armed forces. The outcome of this investigation may have broader implications for Sig Sauer and the military’s relationship with the manufacturer.
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