HomeSafe Gun Locks
CPSC Recall #01-078 — February 6, 2001
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 01-078 |
| Recall Date | February 6, 2001 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 400,000 |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| The gun locks were distributed nationwide by NSSF as part of its Project HomeSafe (now Project ChildSafe) Campaign for safe firearm storage. Law enforcement agencies distributed the gun locks free of charge from September 1999 through October 2000. |
Product
HomeSafe Gun Locks
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), of Newtown, Conn., is voluntarily recalling about 400,000 gun locks for replacement. Under certain conditions, these locks can open without the use of a key. This can give unauthorized access to a firearm.The NSSF and its lock supplier, Adstar Inc., of Merrick, N.Y., are unaware of any instances of unauthorized access by adults or children. The locks resemble a bicycle cable lock and have a red cable with a black padlock. Red vinyl bands around the top and bottom of the locks read, "PROJECT" and "HOMESAFE." "MADE IN CHINA" and "30mm" are imprinted on the bottom of the locks. The gun locks were distributed in clear plastic cylinders with Project HomeSafe literature. The gun locks were distributed nationwide by NSSF as part of its Project HomeSafe (now Project ChildSafe) Campaign for safe firearm storage. Law enforcement agencies distributed the gun locks free of charge from September 1999 through October 2000.Recipients of the Project HomeSafe (now Project ChildSafe) gun locks should call (203) 426-1320 or (203) 270-2360 anytime to receive a free replacement gun lock. Until the replacement gun lock is received, keep the original Project HomeSafe lock installed on the firearm. Consumers are reminded to never put a gun lock on a loaded gun, and to take extra precautions to make sure the gun is secure to keep kids safe. The replacement lock has an improved locking mechanism and a thicker braided-steel cable. With the announcement of this replacement lock program, NSSF is resuming Project HomeSafe (Now Project ChildSafe) and encourages communities to enroll in the nationwide program by having a law enforcement official contact the NSSF.NSSF urges consumers to comply with all state and local laws requiring the use of gun locking devices. For more information on the safe handling and storage of firearms, visit the Project ChildSafe website at www.projectchildsafe.org.Consumers can also view a video clip about this recall (transcript). This is in "streaming video" format.
Hazard
Under certain conditions, these locks can open without the use of a key. This can give unauthorized access to a firearm.
Incidents & Injuries
The NSSF and its lock supplier, Adstar Inc., of Merrick, N.Y., are unaware of any instances of unauthorized access by adults or children.
Remedy Instructions
Recipients of the Project HomeSafe (now Project ChildSafe) gun locks should call (203) 426-1320 or (203) 270-2360 anytime to receive a free replacement gun lock.
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.