The federal government is orchestrating a biometric gun safes recall affecting over 120,000 units.
Reports have surfaced, indicating a significant flaw that poses a severe risk to lives, particularly due to unauthorized access, even by children as young as six.
Safety Commission Takes Action for Childproof Gun Safes
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sounded the alarm on Thursday, February 24, prompting the recall of biometric gun safes from brands such as Bulldog Cases, Awesafe, Machir, and MouTec.
This recall comes as additional information reveals specific models from Bulldog Cases, including the Magnum Biometric Pistol Vault (BD4030B), Magnum Biometric Pistol Vault with Shelf (BD4040B), and Magnum Biometric Top Load Pistol Vault (BD4055B), are among the units pulled from shelves due to the failings of their biometric security system.
Sold at major retailers such as Bass Pro Shops, Walmart, firearm stores, and Amazon, these safes were in circulation from July 2016 to January 2024.
Consumers owning these affected safes are urged to discontinue the use of the biometric feature immediately, remove the batteries, and resort to using the key when storing firearms.
Bulldog Cases is facilitating the recall by offering consumers a repair kit or a free replacement safe upon contacting the company.
Unauthorized Access Risks: A Year of Heightened Concerns
This heightened scrutiny by the CPSC follows a significant incident last year, involving a recall of Fortress Safe products.
This recall was reportedly connected to a tragic shooting incident where a 12-year-old gained access to a firearm without proper authorization.
CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric emphasized the agency's increased vigilance, shedding light on the ongoing investigation that revealed instances where gun safes believed to be secure were, in fact, accessible, leading to unauthorized use.
Machir, another brand in the spotlight, is recalling approximately 24,820 units due to reported cases of unauthorized users opening Machir gun safes. This is attributed to errors within the biometric safety system.
These safes were available at Walmart stores, online on Walmart.com, and Machir.com from July 2019 to September 2021.
Consumers are advised to halt the use of the biometric lock feature, remove batteries, and use the key for the recalled safes until they receive the free replacement.
Additionally, MouTec has initiated a recall for its BBRKIN Biometric Gun Safe with model number QCJJ01.
This decision follows an alarming incident where a 6-year-old reportedly managed to open the safe. The affected safes were exclusively sold on Amazon from September 2021 to February 2023.
Consumers are strongly encouraged to cease using the biometric feature, remove batteries, and use the key for firearm storage. MouTec is facilitating the recall process by offering consumers a repair kit or a free replacement safe upon contact.
Investigations Ongoing for Gun Storage Safety
Consumers who currently possess the recalled biometric gun safes are strongly advised to immediately cease using the biometric feature and opt for the key option.
This precautionary measure ensures the safe storage of firearms until the necessary replacements or repairs are arranged.
The CPSC recommends reaching out to the respective companies involved to receive a free repair kit or a replacement unit.
Simultaneously, the CPSC is actively investigating the root cause of these security lapses, striving to determine the mechanisms that have allowed unauthorized users to exploit the biometric system.
As the recall expands to encompass multiple brands, the urgency for affected consumers to take swift action is underscored.
The flaw in these biometric gun safes, identified across various manufacturers, amplifies concerns about unauthorized access risks and reinforces the importance of securing firearms in households, especially those with children.
The recall serves as a stark reminder of the need for stringent safety standards and continual vigilance in the realm of gun storage.
