Gun Locks

CPSC Recall #00-149 — July 23, 2000

Recall Summary

Recall Number00-149
Recall DateJuly 23, 2000
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 752,000
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Stores
such as Walmart
Kmart
Gander Mountain and Sports Authority
sold the gun locks nationwide between June 1999 and July 2000 for between $8 and $12.

Product

Gun Locks

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Master Lock Co., of Milwaukee, Wis., is voluntarily recalling about 752,000 gun locks and providing free replacements to consumers. Due to a manufacturing discrepancy, the two halves of some gun locks can be manually separated without a key, giving children and others unauthorized access to a firearm. Master Lock reports it has not received any consumer reports of locks being disabled as a result of this discrepancy. This recall is being conducted by Master Lock to prevent the possibility of injury. The locks being recalled are keyed, trigger gun locks sold separately or in combination with certain Smith & Wesson and Walther handguns. The recalled gun locks were available for sale after June 20, 1999, and are either black or blue metal. Each half of the lock surrounds the trigger with a 1-inch locking post connecting them. The words, "Master Lock Tough Under Fire" are imprinted on the lock's black rubber pad. Affixed to the lock is a yellow sticker which reads, "Warning! Do Not Use On A Loaded Gun!" Master Lock brand gun locks sold separately were packaged with a green and black cardboard display card and with instruction sheets inside the package. Smith & Wesson gun locks were sold under its own name, and were packaged with blue display cards and instruction sheets inside the package. Model numbers found on the instruction sheets or packaging are 90, 90DSPT, 90KADSPT, 90TSPT, 90DS&W, 90KADS&W or 90TS&W. The words, "Made to exclusive Master Lock specifications in China" are on the back of the packaging. Stores, such as Walmart, Kmart, Gander Mountain and Sports Authority, sold the gun locks nationwide between June 1999 and July 2000 for between $8 and $12. Consumers should stop using the recalled locks immediately and call Master Lock at (800) 308-9242 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday to receive a free replacement lock. As always, consumers are reminded not to use gun locks on loaded guns. Until the replacement lock is received, consumers should not use the recalled gun locks. Master Lock urges consumers to comply with all state and local laws requiring the use of gun locking devices. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.masterlock.com/recall.html. No other Master Lock gun locks are being recalled. Specifically, Master Lock trigger gun locks which were sold before June 20, 1999, (features to look for include: locks which were not sold with a yellow warning sticker or which state either "Milwaukee, Wis. U.S.A." on the rubber pad or "Made in U.S.A." on the packaging or the instruction sheets) or which have a locking post which measures over 1 1/4 inches in length are not included in this recall. Similarly, Master Lock cable gun locks or gun locks which lock with a combination rather than a key are not subject to this recall.

Hazard

Due to a manufacturing discrepancy, the two halves of some gun locks can be manually separated without a key, giving children and others unauthorized access to a firearm.

Incidents & Injuries

Master Lock reports it has not received any consumer reports of locks being disabled as a result of this discrepancy.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the recalled locks immediately and call Master Lock at (800) 308-9242 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday to receive a free replacement lock. As always, consumers are reminded not to use gun locks on loaded guns. Until the replacement lock is received, consumers should not use the recalled gun locks. 

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.

If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.