Chicago, IL (February 3, 2025) – The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) is urging consumers to immediately stop using the biometric feature on Stack-On Biometric gun safes. The biometric programming feature can fail, allowing unauthorized access to your safe’s contents. The warning comes after multiple incidents were reported by consumers— one involving a 5-year-old child who suffered a severe gunshot injury to the hand.
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At Ankin Law, we closely monitor dangerous product recalls and CSPC warnings to protect our fellow Chicagoans from serious injuries and deaths. If you suffered injuries or your loved one died because of a dangerous or defective product, we ask that you contact our law firm right away. We can help you recover compensation for your losses and hold negligent retailers and product manufacturers and accountable.
What Gun Safe Models Are Affected?
According to the CSPC gun safe warning issued January 30, 2025, approximately 183,000 Stack-On biometric gun safes, pistol vaults, and lock boxes may be unreasonably dangerous. The products were distributed by Alpha Guardian and Stack-On between January 2015 and August 2023. The gun safes, pistol vaults, personal safes, and lock boxes feature the brand name Stack-On. The safes were sold for between $49 and $1,700 at a wide range of retailers, including Walmart, Amazon, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Sam’s Club, Army and Air Force Exchange (AAFES), Cabela’s/Bass Pro Shops, Gander Mountain, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Scheels, and other retailers nationwide. These products may also be found online at eBay.com and other secondhand sites.
A full list of the products affected by the warning can be found on the CSPC website.
The CSPC is asking consumers not to buy or sell these faulty safes. If you currently own a Stack-On biometric safe or lock box:
- Remove the batteries to disable the power to the biometric feature
- Puncture the biometric feature with a screwdriver
- Only use keys to lock and unlock the safe
- Report any incidents to www.SaferProducts.gov
Why Are Biometric Gun Safes Dangerous?
A malfunction with the biometric lock programming may allow the safes and lock boxes to be opened despite fingerprint mismatch. This dangerous defect might allow unauthorized users, including children, to access the contents of the safe or lock box, posing a significant risk of severe injury or death.
Multiple incidents of biometric lock failures have been reported. In one case, a five-year-old Michigan child used a faulty biometric feature on a Stack-On safe to access the firearm inside. The child suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the hand that required surgery.
Gun Safe Safety Tips: How to Prevent Unauthorized Access
A gun safe is designed to keep firearms secure and out of the hands of unauthorized users, including children and intruders. However, defects like those found in Stack-On biometric gun safes can undermine safety. Whether you own a biometric, combination, or key-operated safe, the following safety measures can help prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of accidents.
1. Choose a Reliable Gun Safe
Before purchasing a gun safe, research trusted brands with a strong reputation for security. Look for certified safes that meet industry standards, such as those tested by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for lock strength and tamper resistance. Avoid safes with known defects or recalls, as biometric failures can lead to unauthorized access.
2. Use Multiple Layers of Security
Relying solely on a biometric scanner or key lock may not be enough. Consider dual-locking mechanisms, such as a combination lock paired with a key backup. Additionally, store ammunition separately from firearms to add an extra layer of protection.
3. Properly Maintain Your Gun Safe
Regular maintenance ensures your safe operates as intended. Change batteries in electronic locks as recommended by the manufacturer, clean fingerprint scanners to prevent misreads, and inspect locks for signs of wear or tampering. If your safe has a history of unlocking for unregistered users, discontinue using the biometric feature and switch to manual access.
4. Limit Access and Store Keys Securely
Only trusted individuals should have access to your safe. Do not store backup keys in obvious locations, such as nightstands or desk drawers. Instead, keep them in a separate, secure location or a secondary lockbox.
By following these tips, gun owners can help minimize risks and ensure firearms remain secure.
Stack-On Products Co. Is Putting Profits Before People
This isn’t the first time biometric gun safes have failed, endangering consumers. In February 2024, MouTec brand Biometric Firearm Safes were recalled for a similar defect. The manufacturer of these safes offered free repair kits or replacement safes to affected consumers. Unfortunately, Stack-On Products Co. is not as cooperative.
Alpha Guardian began distributing the biometric safes in 2017. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2020. Stack-On assets are now owned by Stack-On Products Co., and the company continued to distribute the dangerous safes from 2020 to August 2023. Despite the risk of severe injury or death, and the urgency of the CSPC warning, Stack-On Products, Co. is refusing to recall these safes.
Injured by a Defective Gun Safe? Ankin Law Can Help
If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to a faulty Stack-On biometric gun safe or another defective product, you may be entitled to compensation. Manufacturers have a legal duty to ensure their products are safe for consumers. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for injuries and damages caused by their negligence.
At Ankin Law in Chicago, our product liability attorneys fight for injury victims and their families, helping them recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. We have over 100 years of combined experience handling defective product lawsuits, and we are committed to holding negligent manufacturers accountable. Call us at 312-600-0000 to schedule a free consultation.
