I have heard several times that it is unsafe to store guns and ammo together. I live with no children and never considered it a safety issue at all. But I am iterested in hearing from others: are there any legitimate reasons not to store guns and ammo in the same place? Thanks for your opinion!
Is it bad to store guns and ammo together?
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Rotorflyr
Member
The only reason would be small children, those who are too young to really understand the hazard, but curious enough to check out the firearm if found. (Im speaking of in a situation where you aren't around to keep an eye on your child)
As you don't have children it probably isn't an issue.
As you don't have children it probably isn't an issue.
jobu07
Contributing Member
I keep cases of ammo in the same room as my collection. It's just more convenient that way! 
Mongo the Mutterer
Member
Don't discount teenagers, visitors, nephews, etc.
Here is my $.02, based upon a lot of stuff, but also on the fact that my 16 year old nephew (who was gun safe and very familiar with firearms) was with friends at his home and blew the back of the head off one of his friends with a 9MM.
Look, be safe... You can buy a safe at Harbor Freight tools to keep your ammo in for $40.00. Quick access, digital keyboard.
Also, do you really want to make it that easy for a burglar to put your firearms and ammo together? What if you are arriving at home at that minute? I really don't relish getting shot, but getting shot with my own gun would POBAR me.
Here is my $.02, based upon a lot of stuff, but also on the fact that my 16 year old nephew (who was gun safe and very familiar with firearms) was with friends at his home and blew the back of the head off one of his friends with a 9MM.
Look, be safe... You can buy a safe at Harbor Freight tools to keep your ammo in for $40.00. Quick access, digital keyboard.
Also, do you really want to make it that easy for a burglar to put your firearms and ammo together? What if you are arriving at home at that minute? I really don't relish getting shot, but getting shot with my own gun would POBAR me.
Isn't it dangerous NOT to have them together?
In your situation I can't see why you'd be concerned.
I do have children, but my ammo and handguns are stored together in a locked, fireproof safe in a locked and inaccesable basement. There's only one way in and I'm the only one with a key.
I think the "ammo must be separate from the gun" thing is a bunch of propaganda put out by the Brady Bunch, and sometimes easily bought into by the rest of us.
As responsible gun owners, we can each make our own decisions on storage based upon our individual situations and beliefs.
In your situation I can't see why you'd be concerned.
I do have children, but my ammo and handguns are stored together in a locked, fireproof safe in a locked and inaccesable basement. There's only one way in and I'm the only one with a key.
I think the "ammo must be separate from the gun" thing is a bunch of propaganda put out by the Brady Bunch, and sometimes easily bought into by the rest of us.
As responsible gun owners, we can each make our own decisions on storage based upon our individual situations and beliefs.
Mannlicher
Member
RM,
There is nothing wrong about storing your ammo seperate from your guns. In fact, doing so totally negates the value of your gun for defense. There is SO much silliness and incorrect BS floating around on the internet about guns.........
There is nothing wrong about storing your ammo seperate from your guns. In fact, doing so totally negates the value of your gun for defense. There is SO much silliness and incorrect BS floating around on the internet about guns.........
trickyasafox
Member
sorry to hear that mongo.
we store guns with ammo by me, but locked in the safe. if you dont know the combo (which no one besides myself *20* my brother *24* and my parents know. there is always a risk when storing firearms of a tragedy, its just a question of how likely you think your situation is to that risk
we store guns with ammo by me, but locked in the safe. if you dont know the combo (which no one besides myself *20* my brother *24* and my parents know. there is always a risk when storing firearms of a tragedy, its just a question of how likely you think your situation is to that risk
Mongo the Mutterer
Member
Clarification, I guess. If you have a gun safe, I can't see any problem storing guns and ammo together.
I'm in a situation where guns are stored separately, in locked containers, and I feel better when the ammo is in the safe.
My personal protection piece is always with me, loaded, or secured close to me.
I'm in a situation where guns are stored separately, in locked containers, and I feel better when the ammo is in the safe.
My personal protection piece is always with me, loaded, or secured close to me.
MikeIsaj
Member
Weapons are locked in the safe. Ammo is also locked in the safe for the most part. Sometimes I have some in the range bag. I figure if the guns are locked up the ammo is useless without the gun.
TallPine
Member
You should store your guns and ammo separately, preferably on different planets.
You should also drain all the gas out of your car when you're not using it.
You should also drain all the gas out of your car when you're not using it.
dasmi
Member
If it's "bad" then I'm going to hell I think, cause my gun has that evil ammo stuff jammed deep inside all six cylinders, with the box sitting next to the scary, killer, loaded death-cannon.
gigmike
Member
If you reload keep the primers away from the powder and other ammunition. I have a safe and keep my guns and ammo in it. However, the primers are stored in ammo cans seperate from any other combustibles.
I agree with Mongo the Mutterer. Carry guns loaded and close at hand, everything else secured in the safe or in secured lockers. Nothing gets left out at my house for wandering kids or burglars. Keep your key or combo to yourself, a local guy cleverly hid his gun locker key on the shelf above the gunlocker in his closet. Bad things happened when his wayward son got into the gunlocker.
Dave P
Member
Yes, you must always seperate the guns from the ammo. If you don't they may can mate, and produce offspring like "Baby Glocks" or "Baby Eagles" - and you would not want that on your conscience, now would you?
It's all about the kids. Before I had kids I kept many of my pistols loaded and accessable. Rifles had mags. loaded but not in well. Now that I have kids I've bought a safe and keep both the ammo and arms there. Only I have a key and know the combo (keylock dial).
Mornard
Member
With no kids in the house - that changes everything. It's unsafe to not have the ammo by the guns. Slows loading time down too much...
Zundfolge
Member
Half my guns are stored LOCKED AND LOADED ... 'cause if I need one, I'll need it NOW and it darn well better be charged and loaded or I'm dead.
Yeah, I'm a bad person...whatever
caveat: I have no children, and when children do visit (although none ever have) I'll unload the loaded ones (except for my CCW piece...but I 24/7 carry).
Yeah, I'm a bad person...whatever
caveat: I have no children, and when children do visit (although none ever have) I'll unload the loaded ones (except for my CCW piece...but I 24/7 carry).
heypete
Member
Er, is that wise?
According to all the primer manufacturers documentation, primers should not be kept in any sort of sealed container like an ammo can. They should be kept in their original factory containers inside of a cabinet that cannot contain the pressure if they detonate.I keep mine on steel wire shelves in the garage. The steel won't burn, and since it's an open shelf there's no problem with pressure build-up. The powder is stored on like shelves across the garage. Numerous battery-powered smoke detectors and a central-alarm heat detector are installed in the garage.
Keeping powder and primers inside sealed metal containers is an explosion risk.
Rockrivr1
Member
I also keep my ammo and guns together in the basement. I do have the guns locked up in a safe, but the ammo is on storage shelves right next to the safe. I figure there isn't to much they can do with just the ammo, so I don't find anything wrong with this setup. I'm saving up for a bigger safe so I can get more guns. I figure I'll use the old safe to store the ammo.
I figure I'll use the old safe to store the ammo.bamawrx
Member
I store my .45 ammo in the gun on my hip, and a Kahr PM9 in pocket for backup. (My VM2 is getting more comfortable each day) I think that if you have trouble it may happen too fast to load a gun or find one. You have no children so I say lock and load. I have a baby on the way and will be evaluating a few things to keep the house safe soon. The balance I try to strike is between protection from theft and self protection. Right now I keep all loaded unlocked guns on my person or wifes, and all others are locked in safe. I do sometimes keep loaded shotguns or rifles out for home defense, which may have to change soon. House was a virtual armory during hurricane ivan.
My carry gun stays loaded either on me or in a bedside safe that I can open by placing my hand on top or it and pressing 4 buttons in the correct order. Other than that I keep the guns in a fireproof safe and the ammo in metal locking cabinets
Flyboy
Member
In order of preference, I keep my ammo:
Bachelorhood has its benefits.
- In the chamber
- In the magazine
- In the ammo box, so I can find it later
- Laying on the kitchen table
Bachelorhood has its benefits.
MilsurpShooter
Member
3 or 4 stripper clips of ammo in a small box I have by my bedside, rifle on other side of the room (my bedroom is small, 5 feet wide by 16 or 18 feet)
however, in between the rifle and ammo are various other non-firearm weapons that are easily accessible.
Never forget the day I thought someone was breaking in, met with the pointy end of my M48's Bayonet... Turned out to be one of my stupid, drunk, friends who wanted to crash at my place because he was too scared to go home. He has knocked or called any time he has wanted to come over since then lol
however, in between the rifle and ammo are various other non-firearm weapons that are easily accessible.
Never forget the day I thought someone was breaking in, met with the pointy end of my M48's Bayonet... Turned out to be one of my stupid, drunk, friends who wanted to crash at my place because he was too scared to go home. He has knocked or called any time he has wanted to come over since then lol
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