Gun safe maker Liberty Safe gets backlash for giving FBI access to alleged Jan. 6 rioter’s firearms
Calls are mounting for a Bud Light-style boycott of gun safe manufacturer Liberty Safe after it gave the FBI access to an alleged Jan. 6, 2021, rioter’s firearms.
The manufacturer acknowledged the widespread conservative backlash after it complied with a federal warrant that led to the Aug. 30 arrest of an Arkansas man for his alleged involvement in the Capitol riots.
Liberty Safe said it only gave the feds an access code to 34-year-old Nathan Hughes’ gun safe after receiving proof of the warrant.
“Our company’s protocol is to provide access codes to law enforcement if a warrant grants them access to a property,” the company said in a Tuesday statement.
“After receiving the request, we received proof of the valid warrant, and only then did we provide them with an access code.”
Liberty Safe added that it wasn’t aware of any case details when it handed over the code.
Hughes was later charged with felony civil disorder in connection to the siege on the US Capitol.
The backlash against the popular gun-safe manufacturer was fast and furious — with many MAGA supporters and fellow conservatives threatening to return or cancel orders with the company.
“Liberty Safe is an enemy to gun owners,” Charlie Kirk, founder, and CEO of Turning Point USA, wrote on X. “They could have fought the warrant — like Apple did — instead they buckled and bent over. Your guns are not safe with @libertysafeinc Boycott. Ridicule. Ruin their company.”
Others called for a Bud Light-style boycott, referring to the conservative war waged against the beer brand because of its ties to transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
“Liberty Safe should be prepared for some BUD Light-style consequences,” one social media user posted.
“Apparently Liberty Safe will give your safe code to the FBI for being a Trump supporter, just ask Nathan Hughes. Who’s ready to Bud Light Liberty Safe?” another wrote.
In response to the backlash, Liberty Safe said late Wednesday it was revising its policy to enable customers to have the records of their safe combinations “expunged.”
The company said customers will be able to fill out a form to have codes deleted so they can “take control of how their information is stored and protected.”
“We understand that many of our customers are willing to assume the responsibility of safeguarding their own combination,” the statement said.
“While those who opt out of our data storage process will have limited recourse in case of a lost combination, we respect their choice and are here to support them in the way that’s best for them.”
