Safety-Conscious Retailer Giving Away 2,000 Free Gunlocks.

Business Editors

LAS VEGAS, Nev.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 2000

SuperPawn (www.cyberpawn.com), the first pawn brokering enterprise in the country to stop selling guns in its stores, is taking gun safety one step further by giving away 2,000 free gunlocks in its Nevada and Arizona stores, beginning on Wednesday, April 26.

SuperPawn is responding to a challenge issued by President Clinton at last month's National League of Cities (NLC) Annual Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C. Action items and comments by President Clinton at the conference called for assuring the safety of all citizens through gun safety and prevention of gun violence.

Steve Mack, CEO of SuperPawn, who was at the NLC Conference with a contingent of officials from the City of Las Vegas, was inspired to have SuperPawn contribute to gun safety in the home and to challenge other businesses to do the same.

"We want to take the message that corporations have a responsibility to increase gun safety in our communities, and extend the same challenge we heard from President Clinton," said Mack. "Our contribution of 2,000 gunlocks is a start, but it will take the help of many more businesses before we can start to see an impact."

The gunlocks, valued at $19, surround the trigger of a gun or rifle so the trigger cannot be pulled without first being unlocked with a customized key. The locks can be modified to fit most guns and rifles.

SuperPawn stores in Nevada and Phoenix will give away one gunlock per customer while supplies last. "SuperPawn has always tried to raise the bar of expectations for pawn brokers. In setting a new standard, we are taking a stand on gun safety. This is something we have taken very seriously for years, and we hope others will join us in accepting the President's challenge," said Mack.

In addition to offering the free gunlocks, SuperPawn has taken other steps to increase awareness about gun safety with its customers and other businesses, thus making homes, schools and communities safer.

Most recently, SuperPawn voluntarily closed its National Firearms Liquidation Center. Today, as a Federally Licensed Firearm dealer, SuperPawn will make loans on guns and safely store them for their customers, but will only sell them to other licensed dealers via the Internet.

Last year, SuperPawn began subsidizing the Brady Bill Fee, a $15 charge for the federally mandated background check for all gun loans over $150.

And through the pawn holding process, SuperPawn offers customers a creative way to securely store firearms at SuperPawn stores -- ideal for seasonal hunters and gun owners who do not wish to store guns in the home.

Based in Las Vegas, SuperPawn is the nation's largest privately held Collateral Loan Company, providing financial services and specialty retailing. Consisting of 32 stores in Nevada and Arizona with more than 300 employees, SuperPawn also offers fine jewelry, gold, diamonds, watches, cameras, electronics, tools and sporting goods.