Former NYPD Officer Sues Gunmaker Over Faulty Handguns

Honor Defense, a Georgia gunmaker dogged by complaints of faulty pistols, has been sued by a former police officer who claims one of its weapons malfunctioned and caused him serious injury. 

In a lawsuit filed in Florida District Court, Ernest Huang, a retired New York City police officer, alleges that his still-holstered Honor Guard 9mm pistol fired when he accidentally dropped it. The misfired round sliced through Huang’s left leg, shattering the bone, before piercing the ceiling. Huang says the incident happened just a few feet away from his two young children and pregnant wife. His injuries may leave him permanently disabled.

Huang’s lawyers allege that Honor Defense was negligent in developing and selling a weapon that is not “drop safe,” shorthand for a firearm’s ability to withstand a fall without discharging. They argue that Honor Defense knew about widespread issues with its products for over a year but failed to take necessary action or adequately warn its customers. 

“Honor Defense should have recalled the Honor Guard,” wrote Jenny Kim, who is representing Huang, in an emailed statement to the Trace. “[The gun] is not drop safe.”