Four different brands of biometric gun safes, totaling more than 120,000 safes, have been recalled because people can open them without using the known fingerprint, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced. Collectively among the four, nearly 100 complaints have been reported about an unauthorized person being able to open the safe without using the biometric lock with saved fingerprints. One, MouTec brand Biometric Firearm Safes, was opened by a 6-year-old boy. No injuries have been reported.
The safes pose the risk of serious injury or death, the CPSC said.
People with the recalled safes are warned to remove the batteries that operate the biometric feature if they use it to store guns or anything else of value or that could be dangerous in the wrong hands. They should use the key to open the safe until they receive a free replacement safe or repair kit (in two cases) from the company.
The four safes are:
Awesafe Biometric Gun Safes, about 60,000 recalled. They were sold at Walmart stores nationwide and online at Amazon and Walmart from August 2019 through l Dec. 7, 2022. They cost about $130.
They were imported by Shenghaina Technology Co. Ltd., d/b/a Awesafe, of China. They were manufactured in China.
Bulldog Biometric Firearm Safes, about 33,500 recalled. They were sold at Bass Pro Shops, Walmart and firearm stores nationwide and online at Amazon from July 2016 through January 2024. They cost $194 to $216. Bulldog Cases, of Danville, Va. They were manufactured in China
Machir Biometric Personal Safes, about 24,820 recalled. They were sold at Walmart stores nationwide and online at Walmart.com and Machir.com from July 2019 through late 2021. They cost about $98. They were imported by Machir LLC, of Springfield, Mo. They were manufactured in China.
MouTec brand Biometric Firearm Safes, about 2,200 recalled. They were sold online at Amazon from September 2021 through February 2023. They cost $170 to $400. They were imported by Jomani International Inc., of Monterey Park, Cal. and distributed by Ningbo Moyumaoyi Co. Ltd., dba BBRKIN, of China. They were manufactured in China.
About 54 consumer products have been recalled so far this year, which puts 2024 on pace to slightly exceed the 323 recall announcements in 2023. Products are recalled in cooperation with the companies; the CPSC doesn’t have the authority to demand the recall of a hazardous product without taking legal action.