Did you recently purchase a gun for home defense? While a gun can help you protect yourself and your loved ones, it does come with some risks.
It’s estimated that 430 accidental gun deaths occur each year. If you practice the proper gun safety procedures, accidental gun deaths are 100 percent preventable.
One of the most important gun safety procedures is proper gun storage. Storing a gun properly will not prevent accidents, but it’ll also prevent intruders from getting access to your firearms should they break-in. Not only that, but gun storage also helps keep your firearms in good condition.
How do you need to store your firearms?
Check out this guide to learn how to store a gun for home defense.
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1. Use a Gun Safe
A gun safe is the most secure method for storing firearms. They’re long-lasting and durable, and they can only be opened through a code combination, digital lock, or physical key.
If you don’t want someone stealing the safe itself, many homeowners bolt their safes to a concrete slab. You can purchase gun safes in a variety of configurations and sizes. Many people choose to store different-sized guns in the same safe. Many homeowners also use gun safes for storing ammunition.
The only downside to gun safes is that they can sometimes get humid and cause the guns to become moist and corrode. To prevent this from happening, we suggest investing in a gun safe dehumidifier. A dehumidifier will help extend the life of your firearms and keep them in good condition when they’re not being used.
If you’re wondering which gun safe to choose, we suggest checking out this gun safe review.
2. Use a Gun Cabinet
A gun cabinet is another great device for storing your firearms. While gun cabinets aren’t quite as durable as gun safes, they’re still very difficult to break into.
To open a gun cabinet, you’ll need to use a locking mechanism such as a key. Gun cabinets tend to be more affordable than gun safes, so they’re a great option for gun owners on a budget.
They’re also a great option for those who own rifles or other large gun accessories. Many of them even come with shelves and racks for ampler and more organized storage. They also offer plenty of space for storing ammunition.
3. Use a Gun Case
If you don’t have a lot of space in your home for gun storage, a gun case is a great option. Gun cases are smaller than both gun cabinets and safes. You can purchase a gun case at almost any sporting goods store, and these storage containers come in many different shapes and sizes.
They’re also available in several different materials that affect their durability and price. Perhaps the biggest benefit of gun cases is that they’re portable. Whether you’re going hunting, moving homes, or moving items to storage, you can easily bring your gun case with you on the road.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that the main purpose of a gun case is to protect your gun from physical damage. With a gun case, you won’t have to worry about your gun getting damaged if you drop it or it getting ruined due to inclement weather.
These cases are not meant to prevent your gun from being stolen by burglars. But with the right lock system, they can still serve as a significant deterrent. For extra protection, many people place their guns inside a gun case and then place that case inside a cabinet or lock.
4. Trigger Lock
While a trigger lock isn’t a storage container for your gun, it can still help prevent your gun from accidentally being fired. These days, many new guns are sold with a trigger lock right in the box.
Gun owners attach trigger locks to their firearms to prevent the trigger from being manipulated. This is one of the best ways to prevent children from accidentally using your firearms and injuring themselves.
Trigger locks come in different forms. You can purchase a trigger shoe, which clamps down on the trigger of the gun to prevent the trigger from being fired. You can also purchase a trigger cable lock, which loops through the barrel to prevent the firearm from closing.
Keep the SAFE System in Mind
When storing firearms in your home, it’s always important to keep the SAFE system in mind. The SAFE system is a four-step process that helps gun owners practice proper gun safety.
Here is what the acronym means:
- S: You should SECURE your firearms when not in use
- A: Be AWARE of those in your proximity to prevent unauthorized gun access
- F: FOCUS on your gun owner responsibilities
- E: EDUCATE yourself on gun safety
If you have children in the home, it’s also very important that you talk to them about guns. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute estimates that 1.7 million children in the US live in proximity to a gun. It’s very important to make clear to your children that they’re not allowed to touch your guns, as guns are not toys.
They should understand the consequences of what can happen when a gun accidentally fires. If they see a gun that’s not in a safe, make sure they know that they shouldn’t touch it. And instead, they should tell an adult right away.
How to Store a Gun for Home Defense: Time to Act
Now that you know how to store a gun for home defense, it’s time to figure out which storage solution is right for you. With the right gun storage solution, you can keep everyone in your home safe.
Be sure to check back in with our site for more gun safety tips.