At Liberty Safes of Oregon, we are proud to carry, promote and sell authentic American made safes. Liberty safes are the only full-size safe brand that we carry in our showroom in Hubbard, Oregon.

One topic that folks often bring up revolves around an incident that occurred on August 30, 2023: otherwise known as the “Backdoor” code incident. An unfortunate side effect of the internet is the way that misinformation can spread so rapidly and there is a lot of misinformation about this particular event. Not only is this frustrating from a business perspective, but more importantly it has fractured the trust that you have put in us. The very foundation of Liberty Safe relies on YOU trusting US to protect what’s important to you. We understand that we’re going to need to set the record straight in order to rebuild that trust.

Liberty values your privacy alongside our transparency. For you to make an informed decision about whether or not a Liberty safe is the right decision for your home or business, we need to first explain the actual facts of the incident. We will work endlessly to continue to build upon the foundation that we support and protect American businesses, homes, families and valuables.

Without further ado, here are the MYTHS & TRUTHS About Liberty’s “Backdoor” Code Incident.

Myth 1: On August 30, 2023, Liberty Gave the F.B.I. the Combination or Override Code for an Electronic Lock

Truth: The Lock in Question Was a Mechanical Dial Lock

Most customers are surprised to hear that the lock in question was in fact a dial lock. We know that the lock was:

·        Issued by the Factory and installed at the time of production

·        Still set at the factory provided combination

·        Had not had the combination reset by an independent third-party

The fact that media couldn’t even get THIS fact right should give you pause to think about what else they might’ve got wrong.

Myth 2:  Liberty Released The Master Code That Can Unlock All Liberty Safes

Truth:  There is no Universal Code that unlocks all Liberty Safes

This flat out does not exist.  What exists on most electronic locks in a backup code that is tied to the lock's serial number.  This allows the Liberty Safe factory to help nearly 5,000 authorized owners who have lost their combinations, gain access to their safes, saving each customer hundreds if not thousands of dollars in technician fees when they are locked out of their safe.

As a safe owner, you have the option of registering your safe after purchase which allows Liberty Safe to assist you in case of an unexpected lock out of your safe.

Myth 3:  The FBI Cannot Access Your Safe Without the Combination

Truth:  The FBI can get into any safe.  Typically they can gain access in a matter of moments by destroying your safe.

No safe is impenetrable.  It doesn't matter how you slice it, eventually the FBI can get into any safe.  Without the combination, they would gain access by cutting the safe open.  

Unless you're dealing with a TL or TRTL-rated safe, cutting a safe open can take the FBI a matter of moments.  Local fire departments have been called on to use the Jaws of Life to open safes.  Once a safe is cut open, it is no longer a functional safe.

Myth 4:  Liberty Does Not Expunge your Combination from Their Records When Asked to Do So.

Truth:  They Most Certainly Do and You Need to Fully Understand the Consequences of that Request

Liberty securely stores the serial number and corresponding manufacturer-issued combination for all sales it manufactures unless a customer specifically requests the records be expunged. Securely storing a safe's combination is a service provide free of charge that greatly benefits you, the customer.  

Expunging all records of your safe is actually a benefit to Liberty.  Not only is that one less piece of data they have to pay to store - it reduces the burden of complying with a subpoena.

In addition to the potential of your safe being drilled or cut open, you need to be aware that expunging your records will:

• Void your 5-year warranty on your lock and the support that comes with that
• Prevent you from taking advantage of combination recovery

Registering your warranty is the only way to recover or reset a lost or forgotten combination - and it happens more than you think.  Liberty receives nearly 5,000 calls a year from customers that have misplaced their codes.

Myth 5:  Other Gun Safe Manufacturers Didn't Have the Same Policy

Truth:  It Was an Industry Standard to Securely Store Combination Records for Customer Convenience and Support

All reputable safe manufacturers securely store serial numbers and their corresponding manufacturer-issued combinations.  It is extremely common for customers to forget their combinations.  

Now would all of them comply with Law Enforcement when asked to assist?  Truth be told, that's a mixed bag.  Traditionally, most manufactures have assisted Law Enforcement when presented with a valid warrant.  While some manufacturers were touting their "Superior" combination policies on cable news networks after the incident - the VERY WEEK of the incident their policies looked very similar to Liberty's.

Myth 6:  Liberty Safe Donated to Anti-Gun Politicans

Truth:  Liberty Safe has never made donations to anti-gun politicians

In September of 2021, Monomy Capital Partners (a private investment firm with offices in New York and Connecticut) acquired Liberty Safe.  According to Federal Election Commission records, Justin Hillenbrand, a founding member of Monomy Capital Partners, made two donations to Obama in 2008.  FEC records also show Stephen Presser, founding partner of Monomy Capital Partners, made donations to democrats in 2013 and 2023.  Presser passed away in March of 2023.  Neither Hillenbrand or Presser work for Liberty Safe.

Past stories have read as if the leadership of Liberty Safe was conspiring to actively work against the second amendment when nothing could be further from the truth.