Safe Deposit Box for Longarm Storage?

[Colt]

Has anyone ever considered storing a firearm in a bank's safe deposit box? I'm talking longarm here, not a pistol.

I have one heirloom piece I'd like to better secure. I have a safe at home, but it's not fireproof, and it could be opened by a determined thief.

Do you think it's likely that a bank even has boxes of sufficient depth to accomodate a longarm? I called a couple of places, and both had boxes only 22 or 24" deep. (long)

Wondering if anyone has ever found a bank that could do this.

[DogBonz]

but some offer general vault storage.

[nbkky71]

I've seen safe deposit boxes as big as 3' x 6' . However, not every bank has them that large. It depends on the size of the branch.

You'd better check with the financial institution first about storing guns: most don't allow you to store inflammable items, explosives, guns, drugs, etc. in them.

[Colt]

Good point about the storage policy. I have to wonder, though, if it really matters. It's not like they'll insure the contents of the box, no matter what it is. If I box it up, who's going to know?

[nbkky71]

They may not know, but if you are found out you'll more than likely forfeit the contents of the safe desposit box.

If they have reasonable cause to believe you're hiding something illegal in your box, they'll obtain a court order, force the box open and seize the contents.

I'm pretty sure that if the bank is FDIC-insured, they won't let you put guns in a safe desposit box

[a1abdj]

There are privately owned safe deposit box companies which don't have the same rules and regulations placed on box holders. Many of these private companies offer everything from your typical bank box, all the way up to bulk vault storage. Some of them even offer 24 hour access to your box.

Try looking up safe deposit listings in the phone book, and see if there's anybody listed that's not a bank. Those will be your best bet.

[nbkky71]

Whichever safety deposit box you use, be sure that you have INSURANCE against damage and/or loss for the rifle.

The bank may offer some kind of insurance, but you'll have to read the fine print in your contract for the details. Some banks will only make a very limited payment if the box or contents are damaged or destroyed.

Also, the contents of a bank safe deposit box are not insured by the FDIC.

[grimjaw]

Also, the contents of a bank safe deposit box are not insured by the FDIC.

This is my thought also, since the contents of the box are not considered a deposit, and can not be used to borrow or lend by the bank.

jm

[Lou629]

I wonder just what the reaction of the bank staff would be like if one were to go walking into the local branch with a rifle for the safe-deposit box. I think they'd likely start remembering "The North Hollywood shootout" and all hit the floor simultaneously.

[Jorg]

I wonder just what the reaction of the bank staff would be like if one were to go walking into the local branch with a rifle for the safe-deposit box.

One might consider taking the rifle to the bank in a case.

[Lou629]

But what fun would that be?

[cortez kid]

One major and I mean major thing to consider when you use a bank's safety deposit box. God-forbid if anything happens to you, the contents becomes public knowledge. IE the state has their greddy little hands out for "their" share. Just imagine that pristine Colt 2nd generation you got a few years ago for pennies on the dollar it's worth now. Your son/daughter is going to HAVE TO get it appraised and pay tax in today's money on it. They may have no choice but to sell it. Even if it's ok to put it in a bank box, I wouldn't. It's not a bad place for papers, but not for anything of material value. Not your mom's wedding ring, guns and cash. I know from which I speak, unfortunately.
kid

[Colt]

Thanks for all the input. I hadn't considered many of the points offered.

My predicament is this. The heirloom longarm was given to me, and is something I want to keep in the family. But as it has been passed down, the message always given with the gun was that if the family in possession ever finds themselves in a hard way, the original owners of the gun would rather see it sold to fix a situation than to be kept while the owner endures unnecessary grief. So it's an emergency-funds only type thing, that I hope never has to be sold.

It's a beautiful gun, but definately not something you'd hang over the fireplace, for fear of theft. I figure if I can't display it, why keep it in the house, with all the liability doing so entails.

Not sure what to do.

[Leatherneck]

But what enjoyment can you get from a gun in a bank vault? I personally refuse to put the very few family heirlooms we have into a place where we can't admire them and show them to family and friends. JMO, YMMV.

TC

[ilbob]

A MAJOR issue with safe deposit boxes is that they are deliberately kept fairly humid, which might lead your heirloom to corrode if not treated properly.

I know of a number of people that have stored guns in safe deposit boxes. I just think it is a poor idea. Your bank may or may not have a rule against it as another poster suggested.

[hso]

Be very skeptical about any legal or procedural advice you get from any internet source, even THR. I think some of the points brought up are silly, but there's just as much chance I could be wrong as the folks I think are giving bad information.

With that in mind -

I'm sure you have a bank. Go talk to the manager responsible for the safe deposit boxes and ask your questions. If you've been given more to think about by the members here, ask questions about those issues as well. If they can't provide the services that you need ask them about alternatives. If they are competent they should know all the legal, procedural and technical details on storage in the safe deposit boxes at their institution. If they are truely competent they will know about all the alternatives in the community.

Rust is your enemy. Luckily you can deal with it by properly coating and then sealing the gun so that the oxygen and humidity conditions outside the seal won't matter.

[Sig245]

I would just spend the money and buy a top quality safe, ie, Fort Knox, or anothr brand. Buy a large one to cover all your needs, bolt it to the floor in your garage and you are as safe as the bank. Add a dehumitifier if necessary.

Private companies that offer safe deposit box service can go bankrupt and your asset can dissapear with them. A regular bank would freak out if you asked to put a gun into their safe deposit boxes.

[Malone LaVeigh]

One major and I mean major thing to consider when you use a bank's safety deposit box. God-forbid if anything happens to you, the contents becomes public knowledge. IE the state has their greddy little hands out for "their" share.

I have inherited a couple of SD boxes, and that was never the case. At any rate, I have my daughter listed as a co-owner (and will have my son as soon as he's 18). That gives them the legal right to take possession of the box when I die.

Something you might want to consider is that SD boxes are not necessarily safer than your home safe. Luckily, my SD box was on an upper shelf before Katrina. I got in there about 2 weeks after the storm, and the lower boxes were growing some very nasty molds. The bank made people sign a waiver to even go in and retreive their boxes.

[bender]

My best friend has ALL of his guns in his bank's safe deposit box. Several pistols, and one small rifle. He doesn't shoot anymore... they've been there unused for many years. I've always wondered how he got them all in there by walking through the large lobby, and then upstairs to the deposit boxes.

Guess he used some kind of duffel bag to bring 'em in.