Liberty Safe’s gives FBI safe code

[Goodcat]

Photo says it all. FBI requests Liberty Safe hand over the master code for someone’s safe they wanted to open. To my understanding, they had a search warrant, not a court order, which should not have mattered anyways. Liberty voluntarily gave the FBI the master code to open the person’s safe they wanted into.

Rip off your serial numbers and write it down somewhere safe in case you need to call. This is not ok.

Would you be comfortable with the dealership giving a copy of your car key to the FBI, or your mortgage lender giving the FBI a key to your house and garage code, if they had a warrant to search your car or home?

 

[BehindBlueI's]

What do you suppose would have happened if they didn't get the code? They'd just shrug and not open?

 

[BR8818]

What do you suppose would have happened if they didn't get the code? They'd just shrug and not open?

They'd atleast have to work for it. It's your personal property nobody else should be able to give access to it. If your piece of paper says you can "legally" access my personal property without my permission, your gonna have to break into it.

 

[chuckp]

Some years ago my MIL couldn't find the combo to her safe after her husband died. She just called the safe manufacturer with the serial number and they gave her the combo. I was shocked.

I can't remember who made the safe but its a nice one.

By the way combinations on dial safes are relatively easy to change if you do your research.

 

[musketjon]

Some years ago my MIL couldn't find the combo to her safe after her husband died. She just called the safe manufacturer with the serial number and they gave her the combo. I was shocked.

I can't remember who made the safe but its a nice one.

By the way combinations on dial safes are relatively easy to change if you do your research.

That's one of the reasons I have an electronic lock on mine.

Jon

 

[Expat]

I doubt I will be buying from Liberty.

 

[Peacekeeper3073]

They would have just cut it open. We just had an incident where our former Sheriff was served a search warrant which included his safe(s). Didn't voluntarily open them and the Fire Department was requested to the scene and opened them.

 

[KellyinAvon]

For the sake of discussion: what is the difference between a court order and a search warrant in this situation? This going with the "specific safe and contents" were on the lawful search warrant.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

For the sake of discussion: what is the difference between a court order and a search warrant in this situation? This going with the "specific safe and contents" were on the lawful search warrant.

Just thinking logically, a search warrant is a piece of paper that gives the authorities certain access to search for certain things, in/on certain property. I'm surprised it compels 3rd parties to hand over combinations unless they're named in the warrant.

 

[BankShot]

They would have just cut it open. We just had an incident where our former Sheriff was served a search warrant which included his safe(s). Didn't voluntarily open them and the Fire Department was requested to the scene and opened them.

I was about to bring up the same thing. You beat me to it. JFD cut it open with a saw.

 

[ditcherman]

Just thinking logically,

Reported!!
I need to speak to a manager!

 

[chuckp]

I doubt I will be buying from Liberty.

From my experience if a company is served with a proper subpoena they will provide with what is asked for. For the most part it doesn't matter what company you buy from.

If for some reason they don't provide the info they will find other means to get it.

 

[T-DOGG]

I'm not a lawyer. What legal ramifications would Liberty have faced if they told the FBI to go pound sound?

 

[Michigan Slim]

If the FBI is accessing my safe it means I'm already dead.

 

[Expat]

From my experience if a company is served with a proper subpoena they will provide with what is asked for. For the most part it doesn't matter what company you buy from.

If for some reason they don't provide the info they will find other means to get it.

It is my understanding, based upon other news reports, that Liberty was not served with a proper subpoena. The Feebs called and asked, they gave. They apparently had a search warrant but that does not force Liberty to do Jack.

 

[xwing]

Sounds like much ado about nothing. If they have a valid warrant, they are going to open it anyway. These "safes" are simply residential security containers which won't long-resist a grinder anyway.

I'm all for outrage about warrantless searches and seizures (which happen with alarming frequency and seemingly little oversight.) But if the authorities have a proper warrant, Liberty did nothing wrong (and in fact there is a possible argument that they can be compelled to provide this code). If the warrant was improperly executed or signed based on invalid information, the accused's opportunity is to suppress any evidence in court.

 

[Peacekeeper3073]

I'm not a lawyer. What legal ramifications would Liberty have faced if they told the FBI to go pound sound?

They would have turned the matter over to the ATF who will make a new law banning that model of safe !

 

[Goodcat]

What do you suppose would have happened if they didn't get the code? They'd just shrug and not open?

To me, that’s not the point. Of course they can just cut it open from the side. I think the issue in question, is why they gave the code to get in, when they were under no legal obligation to. The warrant was for searching the owners property, there was no court order given to the manufacturer to give up the code.

 

[Bassat]

Maybe 5 years ago my daughter bought a house. In the master closet was a Sentry Safe. Previous owners left it because it was bolted to the floor. They claimed they never used it, and had no idea what may be in it. That got my curiosity up. I grabbed my amplified stethoscope. It took less than 5 minutes to open it, and I'd never done anything like that before. I just assume that safes are like other locks. They keep honest people out, and only slow down the determined thief. I use a safe for my guns. I have no delusions that I am the only one who can open it.

BTW, there was nothing in it.

 

[shootersix]

Maybe 5 years ago my daughter bought a house. In the master closet was a Sentry Safe. Previous owners left it because it was bolted to the floor. They claimed they never used it, and had no idea what may be in it. That got my curiosity up. I grabbed my amplified stethoscope. It took less than 5 minutes to open it, and I'd never done anything like that before. I just assume that safes are like other locks. They keep honest people out, and only slow down the determined thief. I use a safe for my guns. I have no delusions that I am the only one who can open it.

Well…inquiring minds want to know…what was in the safe???