Several law enforcement agencies across the country have decided to replace a popular model of pistol due to concerns about misfires – the guns have been reported to fire accidentally, even when in their holsters.

Washington’s police academy earlier this year banned the firearm at all its training facilities. It’s a move that’s drawn protest from several local police departments.

In some cases, when agencies choose to replace the guns, they aren’t being sent to a landfill, or a recycling center.

Instead, they’re being sold to dealers, who may put them back in circulation to the public.

That’s the latest from a new report from Mother Jones and The Trace, a nonprofit newsroom covering gun violence in America.

Guest:
Ava Sasani is the assistant editor of The Data Hub - an initiative by The Trace, the only newsroom dedicated to reporting on gun violence. She’s also the co-author of the story “A Gun Deemed Too Dangerous for Cops, but Fine for Civilians” - created in partnership with Mother Jones.

Related Stories:
A Gun Deemed Too Dangerous for Cops, but Fine for Civilians - Mother Jones
One of America’s Favorite Handguns Is Allegedly Firing On Its Owners - The Trace
WA police departments oppose academy's 'outrageous' ban on Sig Sauer P320 handguns - King5

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Several law enforcement agencies across the country have decided to replace a popular model of pistol due to concerns about misfires &ndash; the guns have been reported to fire accidentally, even when in their holsters.
Washington&rsquo;s police academy earlier this year banned the firearm at all its training facilities. It&rsquo;s a move <a href="https://www.king5.com/article/news/investigations/investigators/departments-oppose-washington-police-academy-handgun-ban/281-f366e039-9495-4b9f-bb9a-91eb0c9bc2aa">that&rsquo;s drawn protest from several local police departments</a>.
In some cases, when agencies choose to replace the guns, they aren&rsquo;t being sent to a landfill, or a recycling center.
Instead, they&rsquo;re being sold to dealers, who may put them back in circulation to the public.
That&rsquo;s the latest from a new report from Mother Jones and The Trace, a nonprofit newsroom covering gun violence in America.
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Ava Sasani is the assistant editor of The Data Hub - an initiative by The Trace, the only newsroom dedicated to reporting on gun violence. She&rsquo;s also the co-author of the story &ldquo;A Gun Deemed Too Dangerous for Cops, but Fine for Civilians&rdquo; - created in partnership with Mother Jones.</li>
</ul>
Related Stories:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/05/a-gun-deemed-too-dangerous-for-cops-but-fine-for-civilians/">A Gun Deemed Too Dangerous for Cops, but Fine for Civilians - Mother Jones</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thetrace.org/2023/04/sig-sauer-p320-upgrade-safety/">One of America&rsquo;s Favorite Handguns Is Allegedly Firing On Its Owners - The Trace</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.king5.com/article/news/investigations/investigators/departments-oppose-washington-police-academy-handgun-ban/281-f366e039-9495-4b9f-bb9a-91eb0c9bc2aa">WA police departments oppose academy's 'outrageous' ban on Sig Sauer P320 handguns - King5</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.&nbsp;

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Several law enforcement agencies across the country have decided to replace a popular model of pistol due to concerns about misfires. In some cases, when agencies choose to replace the guns, they aren’t being sent to a landfill, or a recycling center.  Instead, they’re being sold to dealers, who may put them back in circulation to the public.

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