In October 2023, CPSC recalled 61,000 biometric gun safes that didn’t work properly…they opened with anyone’s fingerprints. That malfunction left a 12-year-old boy dead. At the time, I called it “the most concerning recall that’s ever come across my desk.” [1]
And now we’ve found that this deadly hazard is widespread among biometric gun safes and across manufacturers. Today, CPSC is recalling over 120,000 more biometric gun safes from four different manufacturers: Awesafe (60,000 safes sold at Walmart and Amazon); Bulldog (33,500 safes sold at Bass Pro Shops, Walmart, Amazon, and firearm stores nationwide); Machir (24,820 safes sold at Walmart and Machir.com); and BBRKIN “MouTec” (2,200 safes sold on Amazon). We have reports of 91 incidents of unauthorized access to these safes, including a child as young as 6-years-old.
These safes are ticking time bombs.
As CPSC continues to evaluate more biometric gun safes, you will be updated with any additional recalls.
If you own a biometric gun safe, TAKE ACTION TODAY. Immediately STOP using the biometric feature, and only use the key. For each the recalled gun safes, here are details on disabling your biometric lock and getting your replacement safe (or repair kit):
For Awesafe Safes (60,000 safes sold at Walmart and Amazon):
- Instructions:
- Immediately stop using the biometric feature, remove the batteries, and only use the key for the recalled safes to store firearms until you get your free replacement safe. Instructions on how to disable biometric reader here: http://awesafeus.com/RECALL; and
- To order your free replacement safe, email a photo of your disabled biometric reader to Recall@awesafeus.com.
- Identifying Awesafe Safes:
- The recalled gun safes are black, can fit two pistols and have the brand name “Awesafe” on the front.
For Bulldog Safes (33,500 safes sold at Bass Pro Shops, Walmart, Amazon, and firearm stores nationwide):
- Instructions:
- Immediately stop using the biometric feature of the recalled safe, remove the batteries from the safe and only use the key when storing firearms; and
- Contact Bulldog (at 888-799-8001, by email at recall@bulldogcases.com or online at https://bulldogcases.com/recall) to receive a repair kit or free replacement safe for consumers with the Magnum Biometric Pistol Vaults and free replacement safe for consumers with the Magnum Biometric Top Load Pistol Vaults.
- Identifying Bulldog Safes Being Recalled:
- This recall involves Bulldog Magnum Biometric Pistol Vaults, Magnum Biometric Pistol Vaults with Shelf and Magnum Biometric Top Load Pistol Vaults. The model number can be found on a label on a silver sticker on the back right corner of the safe and the brand name “Bulldog” appears on the front of the safe.
| Name | Model Number |
|---|---|
| Magnum Biometric Pistol Vault | BD4030B |
| Magnum Biometric Pistol Vault with Shelf | BD4040B |
| Magnum Biometric Top Load Pistol Vault | BD4055B |
Recalled Bulldog Magnum Biometric Pistol Vault Model No. BD4030B:
Recalled Bulldog Magnum Biometric Pistol Vault with Shelf Model No. BD4040B:
Recalled Bulldog Magnum Biometric Top Load Pistol Vault Model No. BD4055B:
For Machir Safes (24,820 safes sold at Walmart and Machir.com):
- Instructions:
- Immediately stop using the biometric lock feature, remove the batteries, and only use the key for the recalled safes to store your items until you get your free replacement;
- Follow instructions at http://machir.com/biorecall/ to destroy the biometric reader; and
- Email a photo of disabled biometric reader to Info@machir.com in order to receive a replacement safe.
- Identifying Recalled Machir Safes:
- They measure about 10 inches by 14 inches by 10 inches. The serial numbers are located on the lower righthand corner of the front door of the safe. The following serial number ranges are included in this recall:
- They measure about 10 inches by 14 inches by 10 inches. The serial numbers are located on the lower righthand corner of the front door of the safe. The following serial number ranges are included in this recall:
| SW190035551 – SW190038050 |
| SW190070151 – SW190072650 |
| SW190175401 – SW190175857 |
| SW190262061 – SW190264301 |
| SVA2001200005001 – SVA2001200007000 |
| SVA2001200014632 – SVA2001200014995 |
| SVA2001200015001 – SVA2001200017577 |
| SVA2001200086685 – SVA2001200089624 |
| SVA2001200164001 – SVA2001200165000 |
| SVA2001200115471 – SVA2001200119880 |
| SVA2001200122399 – SVA2001200124758 |
| SVA2001200172611 – SVA2001200174080 |
For BBRKIN “MouTec” Safes (2,200 safes sold on Amazon):
- Instructions:
- Immediately stop using the biometric feature, remove the batteries from the safe, and only use the key when storing firearms. Instructions on how to disable biometric reader here: www.securitysafe.store/recallreplacement; and
- Email a photo of the disabled biometric reader to support@bbrkin.com in order to receive a replacement safe.
- Identifying BBRKIN Safes Being Recalled:
- BBRKIN Biometric Gun Safe model number QCJJ01. It measures about 13 inches by 14 inches by 15 inches. It has one shelf and can store approximately 5 firearms. The serial number is on a label on the front of the safe in the lower right corner of the safe and the brand name “MouTec” appears on the front of the safe. The safes have the following serial range: SQC202121000 through SQC202247603.
For Fortress, Cabela’s, Legend, and Gettysburg Safes Recalled on October 19, 2023 (60,000 safes sold at Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Scheel’s, Sportsman’s Guide, Optics
Planet, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Gander, Rural King, Lowe’s and other stores nationwide and at Amazon.com and Ebay.com):
- Instructions:
- IMMEDIATELY disable the biometric feature by using a hammer and screwdriver to puncture the biometric scanner. Your safe will still function, you will just have to operate it by key.
- Then get your FREE REPLACEMENT SAFE by contacting the manufacturer, Xpedition, by telephone at 888-577-9823 or online at www.fortresssafe.com. You will also be able to keep your current safe, after disabling the biometric feature, and it will continue to be operable by key.
- Identifying Recalled Fortress, Cabela’s, Legend, and Gettysburg Safes:
- The recalled gun safes are portable lock boxes, personal safes, pistol vaults, and gun cabinets with brand names Fortress, Cabela’s, Gettysburg, and Legend Range & Field. Model numbers can be found above the barcode on a label located on the back of the safe and on the top right corner of the original packaging.
Safes with the following model numbers are included in this recall.
Faithfully,
Your consumer advocate at the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Commissioner Richard L. Trumka Jr.