BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AP) — A U.S. Air Force command says nearly all of its Sig Sauer M18 pistols can be safely carried at nuclear weapons sites after the death of an airman sparked a monthlong pause and safety inspection of the handguns.

Sig Sauer is currently facing lawsuits over unintentional discharge claims about the civilian version of the pistol, the P320. Other military branches kept using the M18 while the Air Force Global Strike Command reviewed whether its inventory was safe.

The command found 191 of its handguns needed repairs, mostly for wear to their safety lever, striker assembly or sear, which is part of the trigger mechanism, the Air Force said. Nearly 8,000 M18s passed inspection.

Security forces at bases were able to use M18s again as of Monday, the Louis

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