Gun Storage

Gun Storage

All guns need to be stored securely. You know that, I know that, lawyers know that. The question becomes a little muddy when the discussion of what that means comes up.

These are my ideas of storage. In this case, I really would like some other opinions in the comments, so please fire away. (Safely, of course. J )

For storage to be useful, it must be secured in some fashion, but be accessible when the need arises. Well, then what does it mean to be secured? And what does accessible mean?

Secured to me means unable to be fired unless I want it to be fired, be safe from the elements (even inside the man cave, there are elements: humidity, heat, cold, etc.), and reasonably hard to steal.

So for a Glock, that might mean a good holster, at your hip, ready to defend yourself if the need arises. Most people don’t consider that secure. With proper training, I do. It is definitely accessible.

How about some other methods of securing your weapon.

Trigger locks:

Picture Overstock.com

Don’t use these. They can actually cause a negligent discharge. If there is a mag in, a round chambered, and the gun in battery, a slam on the lock can fire the weapon.

Cable locks:

Picture AmherstPD.blogspot.com

These work. There is no way to get a mag in there, chamber a round, and have the gun in battery. Drawback, you need to have a key or combination to get the gun in working condition. Not too accessible.

Magazine locks:

Picture Franzenint.com

Also an effective lock, but mostly for ARs as near as I can tell. Same benefits and issues as with cable locks.

Gun Safes:

No pictures, because there are hundreds of options. Ranging in price from $19.95 for a one gun with a key and a cable to tie it down up to $15,000 for a fireproof large safe with humidity control. You could go even further with custom building, or even a gun room. (Drool.)

The pros to a gun safe are myriad. They fit your needs exactly. They can be very secure. They can hold lots of guns. They can protect your guns from the elements. They can be placed strategically around the house as needed. You can get the gun out quickly if needed, provided you have them strategically placed and of the right type.

The cons? $$$-$$$$$ or so.

Why should you worry about this?

Keeping your investment safe from things is the one that comes to mind first, but the more important reason is liability.

Personal liability comes in a couple of flavors. The first is the one we think about. A gun is stolen from an unsecured place, and then is used to injure someone in some way. Guess who is going to be sued? That’s a big concern.

Emotional liability is worse, in my humble opinion.

A gun that you didn’t secure well is taken by your favorite nephew. He’s been bullied at school this year. And last year. And the year before that, etc. He’s had enough. He takes the gun, finds the ammo, and ends his life after writing a heart stabbing note.

How do you feel?

Yes, that bad.

I am positive you can come up with other scenarios just as likely to cause you pain for the rest of your life. Secure your weapons appropriately.

Best regards, and keep the four rules,

DaveJ