Liberty Safes are not cheap. They made their reputation on how tough they are to crack open and people have spent lots of money because they believe the claims.
And now we know they can be opened by strangers with a simple piece of paper.
I foresee a business opportunity for those who can provide a fix for the backdoors installed from factory or brand-new locking systems.
And I have no doubt other companies may have similar federal butt-kissing issues with their safes.
Maybe we should have swap meets where safe owners randomly exchange locks with other owners just to throw an aleatory monkey-wrench in the process.
Almighty gubmint says jump and they say how high… kinda gives ya that warm fuzzy feeling huh? Its the Klinton years all over, making examples out of high profile patriots.
Sad how my Country has become twisted.
I’m still trying to figure out how a third party can be compelled to do something to satisfy a warrant? It’s not like a tech company or a bank where they have physical possession of the things to be searched. Once the safe is sold, thats the end of it for the company.
The Feds buy a lot of their safes?
As I read their statement, they’re not compelled, they choose to do it if there’s a warrant for the safe’s owner.
So, some lessons for purchasing a safe.
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One, avoid digital locks as even if you select a combo, there’s no guarantee it’s the combination.
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Two, as soon as the safe is in place, have an independent locksmith either change the combination or swap the lock for a mechanical-only.
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And of course three, don’t buy from Liberty Safes.
Too late. (I do have a dial lock.)
No no number one is they admit to afotware backdoors. I hope every defcon hacker jumps on this and exposes the back door for everyone.
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Instant mitigation with a mechanical lock.
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Liberty is trash anyways. Most of their product line is over priced RSCs.
Most “gun safes” sold today are really RSCs, not true safes, no matter the maker’s label or marketing materials.
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Which is fine, if you understand what you are really buying and shop accordingly. Let’s face it, most of us are looking for something to defend against fast smash-and-grab thieves and little kids’ curiosity, not an Ocean’s 57 Sauce team. There can be additional considerations or requirements by ones insurance co. if the collection is large*, has particularly rare or valuable items, etc. But most of us aren’t in that category.
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* let’s not get into what exactly constitutes a “large” collection at the moment…
An entry level TL30, like an AmSec or Graffunder, starts at $12,000 and has to sit on a 6-inch concrete slab. A good RSC is more than sufficient for 99% of gun owners.
Yes, a RSC is fine for most people, I am aware as this horse is beaten continually by me to lightly troll J. Kb. IMO Liberty are overpriced for what you are actually buying, and the marketing them is not the most honest, just like every gun “safe” manufacturer’s marketing.
…and all that said, I agree, a secret backdoor is unacceptable. Remember the Clipper chip?
I have seen such safes entered via the side with an angle grinder. I would be surprised if a Liberty safe is especially resistant to a side wall attack.
Which suggests that the cops didn’t have to request the combo. Sigh.