Securing Guns
- Thread starter Andrewsky
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dmazur
Member
There are lots of different views on this.
Some states have requirements that guns be secured so children can't be injured by them. (The infamous "trigger lock" is a typical, low-cost way of complying with this, I think.)
Many believe in the "nightstand gun", so it is ready in an instant.
If you have a large or expensive gun collection, you're worried about loss due to theft or fire.
Personally, I have nephews visiting just often enough to have all guns locked up, even though my state doesn't have a law specifically requiring this. I'm also worried about arming a criminal, should he get one or more of my guns as a result of a successful burglary. Though I have only a few, they're locked up in a steel chest (Treadlok).
To handle the "in an instant" problem, I also have a Phoenix "between the studs" safe with a keypad lock, where we keep a couple of loaded pistols.
There are many, many different ways to secure firearms. Do I believe they should be in an unlocked closet? No. I believe that gun owners who do that are going to regret it, eventually.
Some states have requirements that guns be secured so children can't be injured by them. (The infamous "trigger lock" is a typical, low-cost way of complying with this, I think.)
Many believe in the "nightstand gun", so it is ready in an instant.
If you have a large or expensive gun collection, you're worried about loss due to theft or fire.
Personally, I have nephews visiting just often enough to have all guns locked up, even though my state doesn't have a law specifically requiring this. I'm also worried about arming a criminal, should he get one or more of my guns as a result of a successful burglary. Though I have only a few, they're locked up in a steel chest (Treadlok).
To handle the "in an instant" problem, I also have a Phoenix "between the studs" safe with a keypad lock, where we keep a couple of loaded pistols.
There are many, many different ways to secure firearms. Do I believe they should be in an unlocked closet? No. I believe that gun owners who do that are going to regret it, eventually.
Creature
Member
I beleive that even a home without children should have some kind of locker for firearms. Should, but not required. However, I believe that a home that has children, a locker should be mandatory.
guntotinguy
Member
I have 2 security closets (recently had them installed) and 3 gun safes (recently had them delivered)...even though my kids are got from the roost,on to their own lives,it seems to me to always 'keep everything safe'.I would guess where one lives makes a difference if one can leave a gun (loaded or not) just laying around...where I live,not so wise.
bogie
Member
When I move over to Jen's, I'm going to be buying at least two of the little fast-access safes that Monkeyleg sells...
https://gunshopfinder.com/products.asp?cat=17
And now if this thread is normal, at least two or three people are going to reply that they can find them cheaper, or recommend a different product.
This is a note to those blithering geniuses:
Besides, I think he -is- pretty darn near price competitive.
=====
This post has been a blatant plug for the Legster's web site. Y'all should go look at it. Especially if you are an FFL or own a gun store. Thank you very much, and now back to our regularly scheduled mayhem.
https://gunshopfinder.com/products.asp?cat=17
And now if this thread is normal, at least two or three people are going to reply that they can find them cheaper, or recommend a different product.
This is a note to those blithering geniuses:
Besides, I think he -is- pretty darn near price competitive.
=====
This post has been a blatant plug for the Legster's web site. Y'all should go look at it. Especially if you are an FFL or own a gun store. Thank you very much, and now back to our regularly scheduled mayhem.
Dksimon
Member
I think that biometric safe ^^^ is a good idea.
I have my guns in my dads gunsafe (since im in college and cant have guns on the campus) but I also have a chamber lock on it so that it cannot be fired even if someoe gets it out of the safe.
I think that a room with a reinforced door is fine but you have to beef up the walls so someone doesnt just kick through 2 layers of drywall an make off with your prized posessions.
I also believe that all guns should be locked up EXCEPT for your HD guns. But those should be under your direct supervision especially if you have children in the house.
I have my guns in my dads gunsafe (since im in college and cant have guns on the campus) but I also have a chamber lock on it so that it cannot be fired even if someoe gets it out of the safe.
I think that a room with a reinforced door is fine but you have to beef up the walls so someone doesnt just kick through 2 layers of drywall an make off with your prized posessions.
I also believe that all guns should be locked up EXCEPT for your HD guns. But those should be under your direct supervision especially if you have children in the house.
coloradokevin
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I use more of a gun cabinet myself. It locks, and the average crack-head burglar would likely not find it or be able to open it.
It certainly wouldn't stop a trained attack, but neither would many of the gun "safes" sold by big box stores (most aren't "safes" anyway, though admittedly more substantial than my "locker").
To me, the decision involves the overall value of my collection. I'm not as old as some folks on here, and didn't have the money to buy very expensive guns in years past (just started earning decent money in the last few years). As such, I don't see the point in a $3000-5000 safe for a gun collection that isn't valued at any more than that!
It certainly wouldn't stop a trained attack, but neither would many of the gun "safes" sold by big box stores (most aren't "safes" anyway, though admittedly more substantial than my "locker").
To me, the decision involves the overall value of my collection. I'm not as old as some folks on here, and didn't have the money to buy very expensive guns in years past (just started earning decent money in the last few years). As such, I don't see the point in a $3000-5000 safe for a gun collection that isn't valued at any more than that!
moooose102
Member
well, if i did not have kids, i would still have a gun safe. but there would always be a couple of LOCKED AND LOADED guns laying around. i would lock them up when i went away, or better still, take them with me. but since i DO have kids, almost all of them are locked up all the time. the exception? the one i sleep with every night, and the one i carry all day. yes, they are 2 different guns. the night gun has a laser sight. instant on. i would hate to have that feeling, being in somebody elses house, and all of a sudden, there is a laser dot on my chest.
ShunZu
member
I lost 31 in a break-in when I owned a small horse ranch in the country. They tore down a false wall in my home, and most of the guns were handed down by my Grandpa (who I have way up on the pedestal). A hired hand stole a car and tried hiding it in my barn -- I turned him in, they arrested him, then released him 2 days later, and the day after that the break-in occurred. He vanished, and NOT ONE of the guns has ever been recovered.
For that reason...
There's a big Champion gun safe in my living room now. When I leave on fishing trips where the place is empty for days, I don't lose any sleep over it because they're secured.
But I also have a couple pieces out (kids are long grown and gone) for the "just in case" in the event some idiot in the neighborhood decides to slip in through a window. But I'm in and out carrying gun cases back and forth to the range, and most of the bad guys in this area know that. It's a double-edged sword... they might be tempted to see exactly what I'm carrying in those cases, but also understand they might end up facing the wrong end of one if they tried.
Get a gun safe and sleep better.
For that reason...
There's a big Champion gun safe in my living room now. When I leave on fishing trips where the place is empty for days, I don't lose any sleep over it because they're secured.
But I also have a couple pieces out (kids are long grown and gone) for the "just in case" in the event some idiot in the neighborhood decides to slip in through a window. But I'm in and out carrying gun cases back and forth to the range, and most of the bad guys in this area know that. It's a double-edged sword... they might be tempted to see exactly what I'm carrying in those cases, but also understand they might end up facing the wrong end of one if they tried.
Get a gun safe and sleep better.
Bailey Boat
Member
Scenerio....... You only own 4 decent guns to your name, none of them are secured in any manner.
Options........ Sacrifice one gun to a sale so you can afford some sort of security cabinet or safe to protect the remaining guns.......... or face losing all of them.........
Your choice........ ????????
IMHO.......When it comes to children in the home it should be a no brainer........
Options........ Sacrifice one gun to a sale so you can afford some sort of security cabinet or safe to protect the remaining guns.......... or face losing all of them.........
Your choice........ ????????
IMHO.......When it comes to children in the home it should be a no brainer........
coloradokevin
Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2008
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Well, to expand on my scenario...
They are locked, and I have no children. Nothing I have is an irreplaceable heirloom or anything like that (in other words, money can replace anything I currently have). I do plan to buy a better storage system (safe) down the road, but for now my homeowner's insurance is sufficient coverage for my collection.
They are locked, and I have no children. Nothing I have is an irreplaceable heirloom or anything like that (in other words, money can replace anything I currently have). I do plan to buy a better storage system (safe) down the road, but for now my homeowner's insurance is sufficient coverage for my collection.
Cyclimus
Member
Mine are well hidden in a place that most would not associate with guns, but I do plan on building a reinforced closet with a spot for a gun locker/safe inside.
jakemccoy
Member
My guns are either in my safe or on my hip.
A safe is not for my home in its "most of the time" state. A safe is for that rare, blue moon mental lapse or odd circumstance.
If you say you don't have kids, maybe you have kids roll through your house once year or so. If you say you live at the end of a dirt road where nobody comes, maybe an irresponsible nephew pokes around your house every now and then. Maybe you have an electrician come out to do some work inside your home on a rare occasion.
Having a safe can help prevent rare mistakes that will change my life for the worse forever. That's the purpose of a safe for me.
A safe is not for my home in its "most of the time" state. A safe is for that rare, blue moon mental lapse or odd circumstance.
If you say you don't have kids, maybe you have kids roll through your house once year or so. If you say you live at the end of a dirt road where nobody comes, maybe an irresponsible nephew pokes around your house every now and then. Maybe you have an electrician come out to do some work inside your home on a rare occasion.
Having a safe can help prevent rare mistakes that will change my life for the worse forever. That's the purpose of a safe for me.
aka108
Member
Not a bad idea to remove the bolts from firearms when possible and store them in a separate secure space.
Tribal
Member
For me, not really. I live in an apartment in a college town. I may get a locker, though.
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