A Texas federal court recently handed down an important ruling in a case involving a holstered gun that went off without a trigger pull. This decision allows a Houston police officer to move forward with his lawsuit against the gun manufacturer.
A Major Victory for Gun Safety and Accountability
A federal judge in Texas just handed a major victory to a Houston police officer. U.S. District Judge David Hittner denied a motion by gunmaker SIG Sauer Inc. The gunmaker wanted to throw out or cut down parts of a lawsuit that Officer Richard Fernandez filed. Instead, the judge kept the entire lawsuit alive. This decision means the officer can move ahead with his claims that a defective gun caused his severe leg injury.
Our team at Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP, alongside Rusty Hardin and Associates and The Siscoe Law Firm PC, proudly represents Officer Fernandez. We want to hold corporations accountable when their products hurt the people who protect our communities. This ruling marks a big step toward getting answers for our client and keeping the public safe from dangerous weapons.
Why the Judge Rejected SIG Sauer’s Arguments
SIG Sauer tried to stop this case before it could ever reach a jury. The company filed motions to strike specific sections of the officer’s complaint. They wanted to remove mentions of other “drop fire” incidents. These are incidents where the gun fires inadvertently after dropping on the ground. They also tried to remove paragraphs about the gun lacking an external safety.
The gunmaker argued that Officer Fernandez chose to buy a model without an external safety. They also claimed he did not provide enough facts to support his claims of product defects and poor warnings. However, Judge Hittner rejected the gunmaker’s requests completely in a one-page order. This keeps the officer’s claims for design defects, manufacturing defects, marketing defects, negligence, and gross negligence fully intact.
The Incident: A Holstered Gun Discharges
The lawsuit stems from an incident in January 2025. Officer Fernandez prepared to direct cars on the street. He secured his SIG Sauer P320 semi-automatic pistol inside its holster. The gun suddenly discharged while still in its holster.
The bullet struck the officer’s right leg. The accidental shooting caused serious injuries and forced him to undergo surgery on his right leg. He now seeks justice because of a weapon that should have protected him.
Key Facts of the Lawsuit
The legal complaint points to serious flaws in how SIG Sauer builds and markets these weapons. Here are the main facts of the case:
- Holstered Discharge: The P320 pistol fired while sitting inside its holster.
- Severe Injury: The discharge forced the Houston police officer into immediate surgery.
- Multiple Defect Claims: The suit includes claims for design, manufacturing, and marketing defects.
- Exemplary Damages: The officer seeks exemplary damages due to the company’s gross negligence.
Our legal team plans to uncover more details about these product failures as the lawsuit moves ahead.
A Pattern of Accidental Discharges Across America
This lawsuit is not an isolated event. SIG Sauer faces many other lawsuits across the country following alleged accidental gun discharges.
Earlier this year, SIG Sauer tried to dismiss another defect lawsuit brought by a Harris County deputy. The company lost that bid to dismiss the defect claims, though the court tossed the warranty claims. In another case, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer filed a suit after an accidental discharge to the leg. SIG Sauer told a federal court last month that it has immunity as a government contractor in that case. Meanwhile, a similar lawsuit in the Maine federal court is heading toward a full trial.
When multiple law enforcement officers report the exact same dangerous issue, it points to a deeper problem. Companies must make safe products. When they fail, victims have the right to speak up and seek answers in court.
Talk to a Law Firm About Your Gun Injury
If a defective firearm injured you or a loved one, you do not have to fight the manufacturer alone. Corporations have large legal teams, but we know how to fight back. Contact the Houston defective product attorneys at Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP today. Fill out our online contact form to share your story or call (713) 230-2200 and learn how we can help you seek justice.