Where to Keep Your Gun Safe – The Essentials
Shooting is a pastime that is enjoyed by many people, and one that can provide a great deal of satisfaction. Whether you enjoy target or game shooting, or keep a gun for security and peace of mind. there are certain legal requirements that go with gun ownership, and a great deal of inherent responsibility that also comes with the sport.
Make no mistake, guns are dangerous, and especially so if in the wrong hands. An experienced handler will know what to do to make sure that the guns they own never get into the hands of others, and one of the legal requirements is a gun safe.
Any holder of a firearms licence is expected to adhere to the laws and regulations that go with owning guns. This includes having a secure place where your guns are at the least risk of getting into the wrong hands. Bear in mind that such laws can vary from state to state. Let’s talk about the essentials of where to keep your gun safe.
Choosing Your Position
First, it’s important to be aware that the regulations pertaining to guns also apply to ammunition and accessories. The first requirement for any gun owner is to have a safe, secure and top-quality gun cabinet or safe installed; the trick is in knowing where to put it.
You can buy safes for guns readily, and there are some very good ones on the market that make a lot of sense at sensible prices. Still, you need to take all the advice you can on where best to put your safe, and the primary consideration is finding the place that offers the lowest chance of theft or accidental discovery.
To this end, it’s perhaps wise to check out the places where you really should NOT put your gun safe, so here’s a few ideas:
The garage – a no-no in every way; it’s the easiest place to get into, the first place anyone will look, and a likely access point for anyone breaking and entering. It’s also most at risk from fire, flood and potentially damaging humidity – remember, the care of your gun is also part and parcel of having a safe.
Bedroom – it’s a cliché, so don’t hide your gun safe behind a picture, say, in your bedroom, or put it in your closet. Thieves will undoubtedly check this area first once they are in.
Hallway – this is the first entry point of anyone coming into your house – wanted or otherwise – and remember, where your guns and valuables are concerned, never trust anyone!
Where is Safest?
Statistically, the following are the safest places – in terms of chance of theft – for your gun safe: the basement, where there are plenty of potential hiding places, and which can be kept locked at all times, and the bathroom, where nobody will likely think to look. This is not to say these are failsafe places, but they are not the ones that spring to mind for thieves.
Now you have an idea of where to, and not to, put your gun safe, what else do you need to know? It should be constructed to a high standard and have a security rating that makes it very difficult to get into. Check out the many available and talk to experts in gun safes who will be able to help you with the details.
Once you have a safe in mind, and a place where it is going to go, you need to think about how you are to secure it. A free-standing case or cabinet is not a great idea for guns, so you need to look at securing it to the fabric of the house. This is another reason why basements are a great place for gun safes, as they can be secured to very strong beams or struts, with bolts that are very difficult to cut.
Also, think about siting your gun safe in a corner position, from which you can have it secured on more than one side; this gives you added protection if anyone wants to try and prise it away, and will delay them significantly.
It is also wise to make sure your gun safe isn’t too obvious, so try not to have it on full view. Hide it behind mock vents – or even a false wall – for example, and make it as hard to find as can possibly be.
Use the information online and make sure you talk to the experts, and you can minimise the chances of your firearms falling into the wrong hands.
