Safe Space Episode 9: Insights from a Liberty Safe Representative

Jonathan Ingalls, our personal NW safe rep and the Western region representative for Liberty Safe Company, joined us on episode nine of Safe Space. We've been an official Liberty for nearly 40 years, and so we've gone through a few reps over the last few decades. It’s an honor to have our current representative on the podcast to get first-hand insights into Liberty and his experiences with the American manufacturer.

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Episode 9 Discussion Questions

1:12: What do you think makes Liberty stand out from other safe brands in the market?

3:35: How does Liberty approach innovation with technology? Are there any exciting advancements coming soon from Liberty or in the safe industry?

6:36: SNEAK PEAK

8:02: Can you break down Liberty’s fire rating process and what customers often misunderstand about it?

11:28: In your opinion, how important is it to buy from one of the authorized dealers versus just online or a big box store?

14:52: What goes into Liberty's decisions when they come up with a new model or they're trying to develop a new model?

17:25: What have you seen are the most common warranty claims and how are they handled?

21:23: What else do you feel, besides warranty, the US built product has kept the Liberty at the top in the industry for so many decades?

23:16: What actually happened with the FBI incident?

31:27: How do you think Liberty is going to continue to build that trust back from consumers?

Episode 9 Discussion Question Synopsises

1:12: What do you think makes Liberty stand out from other safe brands in the market?

Jonathan: I’m still fairly new to the Liberty team, I've been here for about two and a half years. Before I joined, I was actually a customer. I owned a Liberty Safe myself. That’s part of what drew me to the company. I already knew and trusted the brand from my time in shooting sports. What really sets Liberty apart is our long-standing commitment to that community. We’re proud to support and help grow the shooting sports industry.

The other big thing that stands out to me is our focus on U.S. manufacturing. All of our safes are made in the U.S. with U.S. labor and U.S. steel. I think that means more than ever.

Kael & David Jr.: Especially right now, with everything going on in the economy and politics, a lot of manufacturers are worried about tariffs. But Liberty really isn’t too concerned. That’s because they have a strong foundation with their American-made products and source most of their materials right here in the U.S.

Of course, everyone has had to deal with tariffs at some point. Some manufacturers have even paused production. But Liberty is in a great position, they don’t have to worry as much because their products are truly made in the USA.

It’s something we talk about often on the podcast. Some brands try to make it seem like they’re made in America, with names like “Winchester” or packaging covered in flags, but they’re actually imported from places like China.

Liberty’s different. When you tour their facility, you can really see the difference. Even the little details, like what’s under the covers, are proudly American-made.

3:35: How does Liberty approach innovation with technology? Are there any exciting advancements coming soon from Liberty or in the safe industry?

Jonathan: Reinventing the safe isn’t easy. At the end of the day, it’s still a steel box. But Liberty has worked hard to improve and push the industry forward. One of the biggest changes we've made is opening a new production facility in Utah.

We now use robotic systems to help lower costs on our entry-level safes. The robots handle the early stages, and then our team finishes the job by hand. It’s a way to keep costs down, similar to what other companies do overseas, but we’re doing it right here in America.

We’re also updating features like lock systems and adding more smart technology. That seems to be the direction the industry is heading, though we know some people are still unsure about it. It’s something we’re being thoughtful and careful about as we move forward.

6:36: SNEAK PEAK

Jonathan: I'll give the Northwest viewers a sneak peak here. In June, we're going to announce some new pricing on the Centurion line to help make it a little bit more affordable. We’re going to drop the pricing on that line and to help people who need those safe to protect their valuables and firearms, or keep things out of the hands of children.

8:02: Can you break down Liberty’s fire rating process and what customers often misunderstand about it?

Jonathan: A lot of the fire testing was done before I joined the team, but I’ve spent time learning about it and reading up on how it works.

When we test a safe for fire protection, we place sensors (called thermocouples) at the top, middle, and bottom of the safe to track the temperature throughout. If any of those spots reaches 351°F, the test is considered a failure. That’s because paper and important items like documents or cash can start to burn at that temperature. So 351°F is the maximum limit during testing.

We used to work with an independent third-party agency called Omega to run these tests. They were one of the most respected names in fire testing at the time, though I don’t believe they’re in business anymore.

Here’s how the test works: the safe is placed in an oven heated to 1200°F, which matches the typical temperature of a house fire based on research. We monitor it closely, and as long as the inside stays below 351°F for the full time (like 60 minutes) the safe passes. So when we say a Liberty safe has a 60-minute fire rating, that means it can withstand those extreme conditions and still keep your valuables safe.

David Jr.: Liberty has always had a fire rating we trust, and we've been explaining that to customers for years. We’re really excited about what the future holds, and we hope Liberty continues to take the next step, maybe doing even more testing and being even more transparent with consumers. That’s what people want. They want to see real-life tests and proof that their safe can handle a fire.

Of course, that kind of testing isn’t cheap, especially when you bring in a third party. But it builds trust and adds credibility to the brand. That’s what really matters. We hope Liberty will be able to invest in more fire tests in the next year or two and keep setting the standard like they always have.

Growing up and visiting the factory, Liberty was the only brand that actually showed us fire tests in action. You could watch the whole process, and that stuck with us. Even the small design choices, like how the door panel closes flush and seals properly, make a big difference. Over the years, Liberty has shown that they care about performance, not just appearance.

11:28: In your opinion, how important is it to buy from one of the authorized dealers versus just online or a big box store?

Jonathan: Liberty has done a great job with fire testing over the years, and I think we’ll see even more testing in the future. It’s something the company is focused on, and we’re excited about what’s coming next.

As a manufacturer, Liberty supports two main sales channels: the independent dealer network (like NW Safe) and the big box stores, such as Tractor Supply, Bass Pro, and Cabela’s.

Buying from an authorized dealer offers real value. You’re not just getting a product — you’re getting expert advice, education, and support. Customers often come in focused only on price, not realizing how important things like fire rating, size, and steel thickness are. A dealer can guide them to the right safe for their needs, often saving money in the long run.

Plus, dealers offer services big box stores don’t — like professional delivery, installation, and help if the customer moves. At a big box store, you might talk to someone for five minutes. With a dealer, you get real attention. Honestly, I wouldn’t shop anywhere else. When I bought my safe, I went through an authorized dealer too.

14:52: What goes into Liberty's decisions when they come up with a new model or they're trying to develop a new model?

Jonathan: Most of the time, I hope we get input from our dealers and the big box stores to understand what they see in the marketplace. And then, use that input to influence what we’re developing.

Kael & David Jr.: Definitely. Liberty has long had market control over the gun safe realm. But there are so many homeowners who don't own any guns at all. Or maybe 1 or 2, but they have a ton of important paperwork, valuables, jewelry.

That’s what made the Liberty Premium Home Safe series such a homerun.

Plus, you guys offered it in some really nice gloss finishes. We're selling way more gloss than we are the textured or marble. So you can get an elegant safe with above average security and fire protection, for what we think is still a great value.

17:25: What have you seen are the most common warranty claims and how are they handled?

One thing Liberty is really known for is its warranty. If NW Safe’s safe technician Jeff were here, he’d back that up 100%. Every manufacturer claims to have the best or a “lifetime” warranty. But when it comes down to actually honoring it, Liberty stands out. Over the years, we’ve seen Liberty go above and beyond when others don’t.

Recently, one of the most common warranty claims has been related to lock issues. Liberty handled that in two ways: first, they made sure every customer got access to their safe—whether it meant replacing the lock or drilling it open if needed. Second, they worked with the lock manufacturer to fix the problem and make improvements. Liberty used its reputation in the industry to push for those changes.

Liberty also has a full customer service team—around 10 to 15 people—focused on handling claims quickly and professionally. Their goal is to make sure every customer feels heard and taken care of, no matter how big or small the issue is.

A lot of companies have great warranties on paper. But Liberty follows through. For example, if a safe needs to be replaced, Liberty will usually send someone out to install the new one—something most companies don’t offer. That kind of service builds trust, and it’s one of the many reasons Liberty has stayed a top brand for so long.

21:23: What else do you feel, besides warranty, the US built product has kept the Liberty at the top in the industry for so many decades?

Jonathan: A strong sales team really makes a difference, especially when the team believes in the product. You’re not going to sell something you don’t stand behind, and we’re not going to offer a product we don’t trust ourselves. That shared commitment to quality has helped build solid partnerships over the years.

We’ve worked with great people along the way, and that’s made a big impact. But at the end of the day, it’s all about staying focused on quality and delivering a product we’re proud of.

23:16: What actually happened with the FBI incident?

Jonathan: The FBI came to us with a legal warrant and requested access to a specific safe. At the time, our policy was to support law enforcement when they had the proper documentation. We didn’t know the full details of the investigation, but based on that policy, we provided the combination.

Looking back, we wish we had communicated more clearly and done a better job explaining our response. Since then, we’ve updated our policies. Now, if law enforcement makes a request, there are strict requirements. They must provide a warrant, identify the safe by serial number, and meet higher standards before we even consider responding.

Most importantly, our CEO now has a policy to deny any request that doesn’t meet those standards. Our customers’ privacy and trust matter deeply to us, and we’ve taken real steps to protect both moving forward.

Kael & David Jr.: We get asked about the FBI situation almost every day here at Northwest Safe. And honestly, a lot of what people think they know is based on misinformation. There are so many rumors online, and unfortunately, Liberty became the focus—even though just about every safe company at the time had the same outdated policies. If the same thing had happened to another brand, they probably would’ve responded the same way.

For nearly 40 years, Liberty has been a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and a trusted brand among firearm owners. That hasn’t changed. But working through the aftermath of this situation has definitely been a challenge. One big misconception is that there was no warrant. There was a valid warrant. Liberty wasn’t named directly, but law enforcement had the legal paperwork, and they were going to get into the safe one way or another.

So Liberty had two choices: deny the request and let law enforcement cut open the safe, possibly damaging the contents—or provide the code and at least protect the customer’s valuables. People think not complying would’ve stopped anything, but in reality, it wouldn’t have.

The real issue is that, years ago, many safe companies were small shops in tight-knit towns where you trusted the sheriff and helped when asked. Those practices didn’t evolve with the times—and they needed to. This situation was a wake-up call, not just for Liberty, but for the entire industry.

One thing that really surprised people is that the safe in question had a mechanical dial lock—not an electronic one. The idea that there was some “backdoor code” is completely false. Once we explain that to customers, they’re often shocked and realize they’d been misled.

At the end of the day, customers buy safes based on trust. We always try to tell them the full truth about what happened, because Liberty is still a company we believe in—one that’s learned from this and come out stronger.

31:27: How do you think Liberty is going to continue to build that trust back from consumers?

Jonathan: It’s going to take time to rebuild trust. These days, people don’t forget things easily. But Liberty’s renewed commitment to privacy is the foundation we’re building on—and we know it’s the most important part moving forward.

There’s only so much I can say about what’s happened behind the scenes, but I can tell you this: we’ve already had a few requests come in that felt like tests. In some cases, people claimed they were locked out of their safe and needed the combination urgently. But the details didn’t add up—it seemed like they were trying to get us to go against our new policy or prove we hadn’t changed.

These moments matter. Every time we stick to our commitment to privacy and security, we take another step toward earning back trust. It won’t happen overnight, but we’re in it for the long haul.

We hope Liberty continues to share more information, like we’re doing here today. Over time, we believe people will see that a lot of what was said online just wasn’t true. There was a lot of fear and misinformation—but with honesty and consistency, we believe people will come back.

Kael & David Jr.: Most customers move past the controversy pretty quickly—usually within ten minutes of walking in. They often come in wanting to spend less than $1,000 on a safe, but not a Liberty. We just smile and explain the facts. The truth is, there really aren’t any American-made safes under $1,000.

We don’t jump into the controversy right away, but we take the time to explain what actually happened. Once people hear the full story—that there was a legal warrant, that the safe had a mechanical dial lock, and that Liberty has been a pro-Second Amendment, conservative, family-supporting brand for over 40 years—they usually start to come around. Sure, there are a few people who are firm in their decision, and that’s okay. But most leave with a better understanding.

That’s one reason it’s so valuable to shop at a smaller, authorized dealer. We can have real conversations and share the truth. At big box stores, there’s usually high staff turnover, and many employees don’t know the full story—or haven’t been trained to explain it properly.

At the end of the day, we just want customers to make informed choices. And we’re thankful we get to be on the front lines, helping them do that.