WASHINGTON, July 24, 2000 -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), Master Lock Co. 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) 944-1380 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.
Master Lock Co. gun locks recalled
Master Lock Co. gun locks recalled...