There are very few professions that require regular firearm carrying and use. Yes, I think everyone should train and carry even if their job doesn’t require it, but few jobs, relatively speaking, include a firearm as part of the job description.
Maybe if someone is a professional hunter or hunting guide. Maybe if someone is a rancher (to protect cattle from predators). Otherwise, it’s pretty much law enforcement and the military (and even the military only has their people carrying part of the time).
Because law enforcement and members of the military use firearms, though, it’s important that their equipment be top of the line, well cared for, and ready to use at all times.
Some allegations and lawsuits, though, are saying that isn’t the case, and an especially tragic incident recently brought this situation more into the public spotlight. Michael Clements writes,
The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command is sidelining the M18 Modular Handgun System after the death of an Air Force Security Airman at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, on July 20.
A press release from the 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs office on F.E. Warren provided no details of the incident. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations has the case, and no details will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation, according to the press release.
The compact M18 and its full-size counterpart, the M17, are the military and law enforcement variants of the Sig Sauer P320. The Army selected Sig designs for the Modular Handgun System in 2017. All branches of the U.S. military subsequently adopted the pistols as their standard sidearms.
This isn’t the kind of situation that anyone wants to happen. It’s terrible that an Airman lost his life due to this alleged malfunction.
The most that I can say is that I hope that the military solves this issue quickly to prevent any further lives being lost.
And when you’re considering your next firearms purchase, shop with caution, research into the models that you’re considering, and use wisdom in what you buy because you don’t want to be on the receiving end of a malfunction ever.
