Washington, D.C. – The federal government is issuing a recall on over 120,000 biometric gun safes due to concerns that they can be easily accessed without authorization, potentially leading to serious injuries or fatalities. Reports have indicated that even children as young as 6 years old have been able to open these safes without proper permission, posing a significant risk to individuals.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced on Thursday that there have been 91 instances of unauthorized users gaining access to these safes, which include various well-known brands such as Bulldog Cases, Awesafe, Machir, and MouTec. Some of these safes have been on the market since 2019, raising concerns about the extent of the safety issue.
While no injuries or deaths have been reported in connection with these recalls, the CPSC has been closely monitoring the situation following a previous recall involving Fortress Safe that was linked to a fatal shooting incident. CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric highlighted the need for heightened scrutiny on gun safes to address potential safety hazards.
Consumers who have purchased these recalled biometric gun safes are advised to cease using the biometric feature immediately and instead utilize the key option to store firearms until the safes can be replaced. The CPSC has emphasized the importance of contacting the companies to receive a free repair kit or replacement to address the safety concerns promptly.
The CPSC is actively investigating the reasons behind unauthorized users being able to access these safes, aiming to identify and rectify any underlying issues. As part of the recall, Bulldog Cases and Vaults have acknowledged that the safes were shipped in a mode that allowed any fingerprint to open them until properly programmed, leading to potential security vulnerabilities.
Other manufacturers involved in the recall have yet to respond to requests for comments on the issue. CPSC commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. has stressed the importance of ensuring that biometric gun safes are not shipped with default settings that could compromise security, emphasizing the need for manufacturers to take necessary precautions.
The inclusion of guns under CPSC oversight, while exempt from federal consumer product regulation, has sparked discussions among gun safety advocates and lawmakers about the need to enhance regulations and safety standards. The issue of securing firearms in households remains a paramount concern, with efforts underway to address these safety risks and prevent unauthorized access to firearms in homes nationwide.