Latest news with #BraydenLovan
CNN
2 days ago
- CNN
Airman charged in fatal firearm incident at Wyoming Air Force Base
A US airman has been charged with obstruction of justice and involuntary manslaughter in connection with a fatal firearm discharge at an Air Force base in July, which resulted in the death of a 21-year-old service member. The on-duty incident, which killed Airman Brayden Lovan, occurred in the early morning hours of July 20 at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. Few details have been provided about the firearm discharge, though the Air Force said at the time that it was under investigation and out of abundance of caution security forces were conducting '100% inspections of the M18 handguns to identify immediate safety concerns.' An Air Force spokesperson said in a statement on Friday that the investigation 'has progressed and an individual has now been arrested on suspicion of making a false official statement, obstruction of justice, and involuntary manslaughter.' 'As with all individuals accused of a crime, the person arrested in this case is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,' the spokesperson said. 'The investigation in this case is ongoing and further details are not available.' As a result of the incident, Air Force Global Strike Command ordered a pause of using the M18 handgun — manufactured by Sig Sauer — until further notice. 'Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety and security of our personnel, the pause will remain in place pending the completion of comprehensive investigations by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the AFGSC Safety office,' Air Force Global Strike Command said in a release in July. 'During this period, Security Forces Airmen will be equipped with the M4 rifle, ensuring no lapse in AFGSC's security posture.' Sig Sauer said in a statement that the company 'proactively offered assistance' to the military as they investigate, and 'remain willing to help in furtherance of their ongoing inquiry.' Lovan entered active duty in November 2023, and had been serving at F.E. Warren Air Force Base for his first assignment with the 90th Security Forces Squadron since May 2024. The commander of the 90th Security Forces Group, Col. Jeremy Sheppard, called Lovan a 'valued defender, teammate and friend.'
CNN
2 days ago
- CNN
Airman charged in fatal firearm incident at Wyoming Air Force Base
Federal agencies US militaryFacebookTweetLink Follow A US airman has been charged with obstruction of justice and involuntary manslaughter in connection with a fatal firearm discharge at an Air Force base in July, which resulted in the death of a 21-year-old service member. The on-duty incident, which killed Airman Brayden Lovan, occurred in the early morning hours of July 20 at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. Few details have been provided about the firearm discharge, though the Air Force said at the time that it was under investigation and out of abundance of caution security forces were conducting '100% inspections of the M18 handguns to identify immediate safety concerns.' An Air Force spokesperson said in a statement on Friday that the investigation 'has progressed and an individual has now been arrested on suspicion of making a false official statement, obstruction of justice, and involuntary manslaughter.' 'As with all individuals accused of a crime, the person arrested in this case is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,' the spokesperson said. 'The investigation in this case is ongoing and further details are not available.' As a result of the incident, Air Force Global Strike Command ordered a pause of using the M18 handgun — manufactured by Sig Sauer — until further notice. 'Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety and security of our personnel, the pause will remain in place pending the completion of comprehensive investigations by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the AFGSC Safety office,' Air Force Global Strike Command said in a release in July. 'During this period, Security Forces Airmen will be equipped with the M4 rifle, ensuring no lapse in AFGSC's security posture.' Sig Sauer said in a statement that the company 'proactively offered assistance' to the military as they investigate, and 'remain willing to help in furtherance of their ongoing inquiry.' Lovan entered active duty in November 2023, and had been serving at F.E. Warren Air Force Base for his first assignment with the 90th Security Forces Squadron since May 2024. The commander of the 90th Security Forces Group, Col. Jeremy Sheppard, called Lovan a 'valued defender, teammate and friend.'
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Yahoo
Air Force Conducting Service-Wide Inspections of Sig Sauer M18 Pistol After Airman's Death
The entire Air Force is doing a service-wide inspection of the M18 handgun after a Security Forces airman suddenly died last month, adding more scrutiny to Sig Sauer's controversial product. Airman Brayden Lovan, 21, was killed by a firearm discharge on July 20 at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. Following the incident, Air Force Global Strike Command announced an immediate pause and subsequent investigation of the use of 9mm Sig Sauer M18 handguns. Now, an additional inspection across the entire service has been ordered as well. "The Air Force directed a service-wide supplemental inspection of the M18 out of caution to validate the serviceability of weapons and reinforce confidence in their use," an Air Force spokesperson told on Friday. "In addition, some units are conducting refresher training for their airmen." Read Next: Navy Leader Confirmed by Senate After Half-Year Vacancy Lovan's death and the expanded inspections into the sidearm comes as Sig Sauer faces yearslong allegations and lawsuits that its P320 series handgun, as well as the M17 and M18 military versions of the weapon, can discharge without pulling the trigger. Air Force Global Strike Command's pause and inspections into the weapon, as well as Lovan's death, led some commanders of Air Combat Command units to restrict the use of the M18s until they complete "refresher training," ACC said in a statement. "Upon completion of the training, personnel are authorized to resume use of the weapon," the Air Combat Command statement said. "The duration of these localized pauses is determined by the completion of refresher training and is not linked to the broader investigation. Training is anticipated to be fully completed within the next two weeks." Sig Sauer announced in a news release Tuesday that the sidearm is still being used by all branches of the military. "We proactively offered assistance to the U.S. military as they investigate the incident," Sig Sauer said in the news release. "Contrary to several online reports, (P320 based) M17 and M18 pistols remain on active duty with all branches of the U.S. military, including the U.S. Air Force, defending freedom around the world." The gun manufacturer added that "we have absolute confidence in the U.S. military's ability to conduct a thorough investigation and report their findings." An email sent to Sig Sauer seeking comment on the service-wide inspection was not immediately returned Friday. Instances of alleged unintended discharges have been reported by military, law enforcement and civilians. In June, Sig Sauer reportedly filed a lawsuit in court asking the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission to reverse a ban stopping police recruits from carrying the sidearm over concerns of unintended discharges, according to local TV stations. An August 2024 FBI report requested by the Michigan State Police, which was widely publicized, detailed an incident in which an officer's M18 "fired uncommanded" while it was holstered. It reported that, while the weapon in question "did not independently provide evidence of an uncommanded discharge, it does indicate that it may be possible" under certain conditions. A New Hampshire Public Radio investigation last year obtained nine reports of unintended discharges of Sig Sauer M17s and M18s within the military. Sig Sauer, in its news release, defended the safety of its P320 series handguns. "The P320 pistol is one of the safest, most advanced pistols in the world -- meeting and exceeding all industry safety standards. Its design has been thoroughly tested and validated by the U.S. military and law enforcement agencies at the federal, state and local levels," the gunmaker said. Related: Airman Killed by M18 Handgun Discharge Identified as 21-Year-Old Kentucky Native
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Yahoo
Muhlenberg County family calls for the discontinuing of Sig Sauer P320
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) — A Muhlenberg County family is calling on the U.S. Military, federal agents and the law enforcement community to stop using all variations of the Sig Sauer P320 pistol. U.S. Air Force airman and Greenville native Brayden Lovan was killed as a result of an 'uncommanded firing' of the weapon a week and a half ago at an Air Force base in Wyoming. Fallen Muhlenberg County airman returns home Philadelphia attorney Robert Zimmerman, who is representing Lovan's mother, says Lovan's family is concerned another 'uncommanded firing' of the gun could happen to someone else. Zimmerman represents more than 100 Sig Sauer victims who were injured or killed by the P320 models and is asking for Sig Sauer to abolish the weapon. Sig Sauer has pledged to cooperate with the Air Force's investigation into Lovan's death. We've reached out to the company for comment, and we are waiting to hear back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
ABC News
01-08-2025
- ABC News
Australian Defence Force rolling out variant of handgun with history of accidental discharge allegations
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is standing by its newly issued handgun despite a major command of the US military ordering an indefinite "pause" of the use of a similar weapon. The US Air Force Global Strike Command ordered the M18 service pistol not be used until further notice after Airman Brayden Lovan died when his M18 unexpectedly fired on July 20, while he was on duty at a base in Wyoming. The M18, and the ADF's new handgun, the F9 Sidearm Weapon System (SWS), are both based on a model of pistol known as the Sig Sauer P320. "For the Australian Defense Forces, the SIG Special Weapons Group utilized a P320 variant similar to the U.S. Military's M18," Sig Sauer's website reads. The discharge involving the airman is now the subject of a comprehensive US Air Force investigation. "Our information is that the gun fired without the airman's hand or finger touching the trigger," said Robert Zimmerman, a lawyer who told ABC NEWS Verify his firm had been retained by the airman's mother. A spokesman for the ADF said it was aware of an ongoing investigation into an incident with a US model M18 pistol. It said the ADF's in-service F9 pistol system was different to the M18, without providing more detail. It did not respond to several other questions, including a further enquiry seeking an explanation on how exactly the F9 differed. Sig Sauer has for years been plagued by allegations, and lawsuits, claiming its P320 can fire without its trigger being pulled. The company vehemently denies this is possible, saying: "The P320 cannot, under any circumstances, discharge without a trigger pull. "This is verified through extensive testing by Sig Sauer, the U.S. Military, elite law enforcement agencies, and independent laboratories," it says on its "P320 Truth" website. Bill Lewinski is the founding partner of Force Science and an expert on accidental shootings. He has previously told the Washington Post that "the number and frequency of injuries are strongly suggestive of a design flaw versus a human performance error. What we're seeing is highly unusual". Mr Lewinski told ABC NEWS Verify that he stood by the statement. "Further — without a clear understanding of the reason for the problem or any subsequent effort at remediation, some of our local to national departments are in full retreat in the use of the P320," he said. The firearm is what is known as "striker-fired". The striker, like a "firing pin" in a rifle, is the object that impacts the primer in a cartridge, firing a bullet. In the P320, and its variants, the striker is at all times held back by spring tension — meaning when the trigger is pulled, the striker simply moves forward. The firearm contains internal safety systems that are designed to prevent the firearm from discharging without the trigger being pulled. Mr Zimmerman said his firm represented more than 100 individuals and family members of people who had been injured or killed by P320 variants. "We believe this is the most dangerous pistol available on the market for users and those around the gun," he told ABC NEWS Verify. "We are aware of well over 350 incidents of unintended discharges in total," he said. Mr Zimmerman said his law firm had been retained by the mother of the airman killed on July 20. He said he understood the 21-year-old's gun fired while still in its holster, after it was placed on a table. "I believe it was prudent for the division of the US Air Force to halt its use of the P320 variant at this time, and we and our clients are calling for others to follow suit," he said. Unlike some variants of the P320, the F9 and the M18 used by the US Air Force feature an external manual safety, designed to prohibit the trigger function of the firearm. Jeffrey Webb is a master gunsmith from US gun store Grey Wolf Armory. He is a long-term critic of the P320, and in 2022, he wrote an analysis as an expert witness for a case against Sig Sauer. "This author has firsthand accounts of a sample M17 pistol [the US Army's less-compact P320 variant] finding the manual thumb safety disengaged while still in its holster through normal body movement," the analysis read. "The existence of, and voluntary use of, a manual thumb safety on this model firearm does not appear to fully mitigate that the firearm could discharge a round un-commanded by the user. "The basic fact is that a single-action, striker-fired pistol with no inertia safety on the trigger (the two-stage trigger like on a Glock) is an unsafe design at its core," Mr Webb told ABC NEWS Verify. "My advice, such as it is, to your military regarding adopting a P320 variant, is one word: DON'T," he said in an email, with capitals added. The US Air Force Global Strike Command told ABC NEWS Verify it was currently conducting what it called "100 per cent inspections" of all M18 handguns "to identify any immediate safety concerns". Sig Sauer addressed the US Air Force incident in a July 24 statement posted online. "We proactively offered assistance to the U.S. Military as they investigate the incident and remain willing to help in furtherance of their ongoing inquiry," it said. "We have absolute confidence in the Military's ability to conduct a thorough investigation and are working with the Air Force and Army to answer any of their questions." In 2022, the ADF released a statement that said the federal government had signed a multi-million-dollar agreement "to start acquiring and supplying the next generation of small arms for the Australian Defence Force". It revealed the ADF's new service pistol would be the Sig Sauer P320 XCarry Pro, which would be fitted with a sight and a torch. The gun would replace the Browning Mk3 pistol, which had entered service in Australia in 1964. The next year, in 2023, an eight-month-long investigation by the Washington Post and The Trace, a not-for-profit gun-related news outlet, revealed allegations from more than 100 people that their P320 pistols had discharged when they did not pull the trigger, with dozens injured. Sig Sauer disputed the claims in the story. It addresses allegations of unintended discharges on its "P320 Truth" website. "Verified incidents of unintended discharges are all attributed to improper handling, incompatible equipment (i.e. holsters), trigger access vulnerability, or a lapse in firearm safety, not to any defect in the P320," it reads. The ADF designated its new pistol the F9, and its rollout began in 2024. For a time, Sig Sauer sold an "AUSTRALIA M.O.D" model of the P320 as part of a program that sells "contract overrun firearms from militaries around the world". The company's online advertising for the pistol also references Australia. "In the scorching heat of the outback, the P320 is taking the Australian Defence Forces into the 21st century," it states. The incident involving Airman Lovan and the M18 has reignited online discussion about the safety of the P320, and its variants, on social media and gun forums. One video has attracted more than 800,000 views on YouTube alone — showing a man claiming to put a millimetre of pressure on his P320's trigger with a screw. He then plays with the gun's slide, causing it to fire. He repeats it four more times. "If you have any debris, sand, carbon build-up, that's preventing the trigger from being fully disengaged… You basically have a hand grenade," one repost on X read, sharing part of the video. ABC NEWS Verify asked Sig Sauer about the video, but did not receive a response by publication. The company's media representatives did not respond to any questions put to it. The company posted a statement on its social media channels in early March captioned: "The P320. It ends today". "The P320 CANNOT, under any circumstances, discharge without a trigger pull — that is a fact. The allegations against the P320 are nothing more than individuals seeking to profit or avoid personal responsibility," the post said. "Furthermore, lawsuits claiming that the P320 is capable of firing without the trigger being pulled have been dismissed in courtrooms around the country," it said. Sig Sauer has been successful in having several cases dismissed. But Mr Zimmerman said that was not the case for all. "A gun should not be capable of firing when it is holstered and when the user is not touching the trigger," he told ABC NEWS Verify. "The only two cases our firm has taken to verdict have resulted in findings for the Plaintiff and against Sig, where juries have found that Sig was negligent (and in one of the two cases, reckless) and that the P320's design is defective," he said.
