WASHINGTON — Around 120,000 biometric safes designed to store guns and other valuables have been recalled because the safes can be opened by unauthorized users.
The Consumer Product Safety Commissions announced recalls Thursday for biometric gun safes manufactured by Bulldog Cases, Awesafe, MouTec and Machir. The agency said the faulty locks pose a serious injury hazard and risk of death.
This comes five months after Fortress Safe recalled 61,000 biometric safes after a lawsuit claimed a 12-year-old boy died after getting a firearm from one of the recalled safes.
While there have been no injuries or deaths linked to this week's recalls, there were 91 total incidents of unauthorized access to the safes, including a 6-year-old boy.
In response, CPSC Commissioner Rich Trumka Jr. called these safes "ticking time bombs."
Each recall is listed separately below, separated by brand:
Awesafe
The largest recall includes about 60,000 Awesafe biometric gun safes.
The recalled safes are black, can fit two pistols, and have the brand name “Awesafe” on the front.
Federal regulators have received 71 reports of incidents when the recalled safes have been opened by unauthorized users via the fingerprint locks. No related injuries have been reported.
The products were sold at Walmart stores nationwide, as well as online on Amazon.com and Walmart.com, between 2019 and 2022, for about $130.
Bulldog
One recall includes around 33,500 Bulldog Magnum Biometric Pistol Vaults, Magnum Biometric Pistol Vaults with Shelf, and Magnum Biometric Top Load Pistol Vaults. All of the affected products are small black boxes, with both biometric fingerprint scanners and key access.
The gun safes hold one or two firearms. The "Bulldog" brand name is labeled on the front of the safe. Model numbers can be found on a label on a silver sticker on the back right corner of the safe.
The model numbers of recalled safes are:
- BD4030B
- BD4040B
- BD4055B
The safes were sold at Bass Pro Shops, Walmart, online on Amazon and at firearm stores across the country between 2016 and 2024. They cost between $194 and $216.
Four incidents have been reported where the safes have been opened by unauthorized users. No injuries have been reported as a result of these unauthorized openings.
MouTec
Another recall is for about 2,200 BBRKIN Biometric Gun Safes under the model number QCJJ01.
These safes have the serial number on a label on the front of the safe in the lower right corner. The brand name MouTec appears on the front door.
The model numbers of the recalled safes are in the range between SQC202121000 and SQC202247603.
One report has come in about an unauthorized user accessing the safe: a 6-year-old boy. No injuries have been reported.
The safes were sold on Amazon.com from 2021 through 2023, and cost between $170 and $400.
Machir
A third recall includes around 24,820 Machir biometric personal safes, used to store personal items.
The model numbers of affected safes are:
- SW190070151 – SW190072650
- SW190175401 – SW190175857
- SW190262061 – SW190264301
- SVA2001200005001 – SVA2001200007000
- SVA2001200014632 – SVA2001200014995
- SVA2001200015001 – SVA2001200017577
- SVA2001200086685 – SVA2001200089624
- SVA2001200164001 – SVA2001200165000
- SVA2001200115471 – SVA2001200119880
- SVA2001200122399 – SVA2001200124758
- SVA2001200172611 – SVA2001200174080
There have been 15 reports of the recalled safes being opened by unauthorized users using the biometric access.
The faulty safes were sold at Walmart stores and through Walmart's website from July 2019 through September 2021, as well as on Machir.com, for about $98.
What to do if you have a recalled gun safe
The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which regulates recalls for products such as gun safes, said customers should immediately stop using the biometric features of the recalled items.
The CPSC said users should remove the batteries from the safe and only use the key to lock and unlock it when storing firearms or other valuables.
Customers with safes affected by the recall can contact the manufacturer for information about how to repair or replace the products.
