When a Taurus firearm discharges unexpectedly, the cause is not always operator error. Defects in design, manufacturing, or safety mechanisms can turn a firearm into a serious hazard. If you’ve been injured, Wheeles Garmon can help you evaluate whether a product defect played a role and whether compensation may be available for medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
Our experienced attorneys handle product liability claims involving defective firearms, including cases where a Taurus is suspected of firing without the trigger being pulled. We dig into what happened, identify who may be responsible, and fight for the accountability and financial recovery you deserve.
Accidental Discharge, Manufacturer Responsibility & User Blame
A gun should never fire without the user intentionally pulling the trigger. When it does, something has gone seriously wrong. Though negligent firearm manufacturers always blame the gun owner or user for the gun firing, typically when a firearm discharges without the trigger being pulled it is due to a defect in the gun.
It is important to draw a clear line between a Manufacturer’s Responsibility and the User’s Responsibility.
- It is the Manufacturer’s Responsibility to ensure its product (i.e., the firearm) will only discharge if the gun owner or user pulls the trigger. It is also the manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure the safety devices on the firearm (e.g., the trigger safety) work as intended to keep the user safe.
- It is the User’s Responsibility to use the firearm responsibly, but when a gun fires without the trigger being pulled, the user is not to be blamed for the product being defective. A gun that will fire without the trigger being pulled is both a mechanical and engineering failure and a constant danger.
Common Taurus Issues That May Lead to Accidental Discharge
Taurus pistols are extremely popular and widespread in the United States, trusted by civilians, police officers, and military servicemembers alike. The widespread use of Taurus firearms has also placed them at the center of scrutiny and a growing number of lawsuits alleging design defects and accidental discharges. Serious concerns regarding Taurus pistols include:
Drop Fires
At Wheeles Garmon, we have litigated numerous cases involving Taurus firearms that will discharge if dropped and without the user pulling the trigger. We commonly refer to this issue as a “drop-fire defect.” The following models of Taurus pistols may contain a drop-fire defect and should be unloaded immediately: generation one PT-111 Millennium, PT-132 Millennium, PT-138 Millennium, PT-140 Millennium, PT-145 Millennium, PT 745 Millennium, PT-609, PT-640, PT-24/7 pistols (including the “PRO” series of each of these models), G2 model semi-automatic pistols, G3 model semi-automatic pistols, GX4 semi-automatic pistols, and other models.
Taurus has created a safety notice website specifically for GX4 model pistols, which states, “Some GX4 pistols assembled and sold only in the United States may, under certain circumstances, discharge when dropped.” Gun owners of Taurus GX4 model pistols may enter their pistol’s serial number in the Taurus website database to determine whether their firearm is subject to the safety notice here: https://gx4safetynotice.com/.
A Light Trigger Pull
Some lawsuits allege that the Taurus pistol’s trigger pull is lighter than that of comparable striker-fired handguns, which can increase the risk of an unintentional discharge.
While Taurus triggers are designed for consistent pull weight, critics argue that the relatively short travel and minimal resistance compared to similar pistols can make the firearm more susceptible to firing from unintended contact with the trigger.
This danger is potentially amplified when the gun is handled by a child, an inexperienced user, or anyone who is unfamiliar with proper firearm safety and trigger discipline.
False Safety Defects
Certain Taurus pistol models may have external safeties that can be turned on or off by the user. Other criticisms of Taurus pistols concern certain model’s ability to discharge even when the external safety is turned on. This is known as a “False Safety Defect,” which is inherently dangerous to the gun owner.
How We Help Victims of Taurus Accidental Discharges
At Wheeles Garmon, we know how to investigate Taurus accidental discharge claims from every angle. Our defective firearms attorneys work with qualified experts to analyze the firearm, identify potential defects, and establish how and why the discharge occurred. Our attorneys know how to challenge manufacturer defenses and present clear, compelling evidence that links the injury to a defective product.
In handling your claim, we will:
- Listen to what happened and explain your options in clear, straightforward terms
- Investigate the firearm and the incident to determine whether a defect caused the discharge
- Work with qualified experts to examine the gun and identify what went wrong
- Handle communication with insurers on your behalf
- Pursue full compensation for medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses
Our goal is not only to help you obtain fair and just compensation, but also to obtain answers and accountability. For many victims, justice means ensuring that dangerous Taurus defects are exposed and that similar gun malfunction injuries are prevented in the future. With four decades of combined legal experience and a background in law enforcement, our firm is uniquely prepared to handle these high-stakes cases.
Contact a Gun Defect Attorney Who Knows How to Get Results
We are here to provide you with the knowledgeable guidance and strong advocacy that have made us a leader in gun defect litigation. If you are ready to discuss your claim with an experienced firearm defect lawyer, contact us today.