Air Force unit suspends use of Sig Sauer pistol after shooting death of airman

Summary

A major division of the U.S. Air Force is immediately suspending use of a gun made by New Hampshire-based Sig Sauer, following a fatal shooting on a Wyoming base over the weekend.The general in charge of the Air Force Global Strike Command, which comprises more than 33,000 personnel, said in a memo on Monday that he would be pausing the use of Sig Sauer’s M18 pistol immediately pending a “comprehensive review” of the weapon.A spokesperson confirmed the pause on the weapon is directly related to the death on Sunday of an airman at F.E. Warren Airforce Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. A statement on the base’s website provided few details about the fatality, and said the airman’s name was being withheld pending notification of his family.“We are deeply saddened by the loss of a valued member of our Mighty Ninety team,” said Col. Terry Holmes, a commander at the base. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the Airman’s family, friends, and his fellow Defenders during this incredibly difficult time.”A Pentagon spokesperson for the Air Force acknowledged the ongoing review of the M18 within the Global Strike Command, but didn’t say whether that investigation may expand to other units within the U.S. military that carry the pistol.Get more New Hampshire news in your inbox: Sign up for our free Rundown newsletter."Weapons safety is a critical responsibility and we continue to prioritize the security of our Airmen and Guardians as they perform their challenging missions,” said the Air Force spokesperson.Nearly all branches of the U.S. military have adopted the M18, as well as the M17, as their standard sidearms. The guns are modeled on Sig Sauer’s best-selling P320 pistol, which is sold on the civilian market and is widely used by law enforcement agencies around the country.The death at the Wyoming base is the latest in a series of incidents in recent years that have raised questions about the safety of Sig’s marquee pistol. Both the P320 and the military’s version of t...