In a critical safety alert, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced the recall of an alarming 61,000 biometric gun safes, distributed by well-known outlets such as Cabela’s, Bass Pro, and Lowe’s. These safes, manufactured in China and imported by Illinois-based company Xpedition LLC, which operates as Fortress Safe, have been shown to exhibit a concerning malfunction that could allow unauthorized access.
According to reports, although these safes are designed to open exclusively with the owner’s biometric fingerprint, they can mistakenly remain in a default open mode. This flaw means that essentially anyone, including children, can access the contents of the safe merely by placing their fingers on the scanner. Such an oversight has tragically resulted in the death of a 12-year-old boy, with an additional 39 incidents of unauthorized access also being reported.
Commissioner Rich Trumka Jr. emphasized the gravity of this situation by stating, “As a gun owner with kids, this product failure is the nightmare scenario.” He further pointed out the trust consumers place in known brands and how this recall deeply undermines that trust. To him and countless others, the situation is reminiscent of a betrayal by trusted brands.
The affected models, carrying brand names like Fortress, Cabela’s, Gettysburg, and Legend Range & Field, span a variety of designs, including portable lock boxes, personal safes, pistol vaults, and gun cabinets. A detailed list of the recalled models can be found on the CPSC’s official website, as well as on the packaging of the products.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom. The CPSC, in collaboration with the company, has advised consumers on immediate action steps. If you own one of the affected safes, it’s recommended to immediately disable the biometric feature by puncturing the scanner using tools like a hammer and screwdriver. This action will not compromise the safe’s other functionalities; it can still be operated using a key. Furthermore, owners can obtain a free replacement safe by reaching out to the manufacturer, Xpedition, either via phone or their official website. (www.fortresssafe.com)
But this raises a crucial question: How did such a severe oversight occur in the first place?
The biometric feature, which is meant to bolster security, ironically became the weak link in this scenario. And while the recall will help mitigate further accidents, the trust in these brands, and perhaps in biometric technology for gun safes, will undoubtedly take a hit.
For now, it’s essential to spread the word. Share the information about this recall with peers, especially those known to own firearms. Such awareness could be pivotal in averting potential tragedies.
It should be noted that Fortress Safe has yet to publicly comment on this situation. They have, however, been proactive in working alongside the CPSC to ensure that the recall reaches as many affected consumers as possible.
Still not as dumb as the one the LPL showed the other day: the plastic handle in the door pops out easily and leaves a hole large enough to stick your hand in and pull out a full sized handgun.
This would be the reason that I have zero brand loyalty, to any corporation, anywhere. Bc multinationals’ only loyalty is to profit, and if selling a ‘safe’ that opens for anybody is more profitable, they will do so. Witness biofire, a company started by a college dropout to get some grant money, that has now over 30 million in venture capital funding…. and has yet to produce a product that works. Despite getting forgotten weapons to help them sell them, they’re still unable to ship any. They’ve been pre-selling them for almost a year, always promising to ship next quarter.… Read more »
What a sad view on life….
You consider facing reality to be “sad” do you? I have quite the opposite view. I consider supporting companies that screw you over to be a sad life. Well, different strokes for different folks. Many like getting screwed over. Not me though.