Storing guns in an apartment?

[Big_E]

So, I will be moving into an apartment soon and I was wondering what I should do to safely store my firearms. I do not know if I will be on a ground level or upstairs yet but lets say I am upstairs.

A safe is must obviously. Fire-proofing is a requirement (in case some neighbor falls asleep with a lit cig and the complex goes up) I am mostly concerned about moving a safe and securing it. If I am upstairs I figure it would be difficult for petty thieves to move a full safe of say 14-17 long gun size down stairs. I do not think I would be allowed to bolt the safe to the floor either.

Any recommendations from those living in apartments and keeping guns safe? I will probably move the firearms from the apartment to my truck in guitar gig bags to avoid letting others know what I have. If I am leaving the area for a moderate duration I will probably move them to a friends house who I know is very secure.

 

[russ69]

I don't know how many guns you have so it's hard to answer but I would get insurance that would cover your loss just in case they end up missing. If you have good neighbors you can ask them to watch the place if you are gone. That's about all you can do.

Thanx, Russ

 

[Shadow 7D]

Out of sight, out of mind,

Remember that, don't bring obvious gun cases, bare rifles and other things that would signel to others that you have something worth stealing, don't leave them out, don't show them off, and it's about the same as any other valuable.

As for the safe, come on, a 14 gun could be out of your place in under 5min, with the stair case, would be different if you lived in the basement, but stairs, put it on it's back and just let it slide.

Remember they don't want the safe, and really don't care if something gets scratched, sells the same...

You could see if a gun club has lockers you can rent or make other arrangements, but really it's up to you, if you get a safe, put it in a wardrobe box to bring it in.

 

[twofifty]

quote:
"I will probably move the firearms from the apartment to my truck in guitar gig bags to avoid letting others know what I have."

This way, wouldn't you end up being visited by neighbourhood guitar thieves?

 

[Big_E]

Yes, I suppose you're right about the stairs, and I forgot guitars also catch attention.

Looks like an insurance policy is my best bet and hoping that I have good neighbors.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

There are a lot of people with access to apartments, always keep that in mind.

 

[faustopph]

safe?

How heavy of a safe are you thinking?Or do you really mean a storage cabinet like say "Stack-On"?
I live in an apartment and a safe would not be allowed on account of weight.The safes that I have looked at are in the 1000 to 1200lb range.That won't leave in 5min. from any apartment.

 

[ultradoc]

When I lived in an apertment I hid mine. I had a pistol and 2 AR's. Maybe try to hide them in the ceiling

 

[Big_E]

I considered hiding them in various locations. But, that really doesn't do much as far as fire protection goes. If I am on ground level then I will ask about bolting it to the foundation.

 

[ny32182]

Insurance. It is a whole lot easier than trying to move a tremendously heavy safe up X flights of stairs.

As far as moving them to and from the car, I would break them down to backpack size if possible; if not (say, for a bolt gun) I would just put them in a case and wait for the coast to be clear. At night if reasonably convienient.

That is how I did it when I lived in an apt. Now with a garage, I just load and unload with the garage door closed.

 

[ChronoCube]

Maybe you could wrap your guns in a fire insulation material before hiding them.

 

[Deanimator]

Buy a modestly priced safe. I have a Sentry.

Put it in a closet out of sight. You can bolt something to the bottom of the safe that prevents the safe from leaving the closet when it's attached.

Insurance is nice. Insurance and a safe is a LOT better. It usually makes the insurance cheaper too.

 

[ny32182]

The insurance cost difference between having a safe and not is pretty minimal.

IMO, a cheap safe is not really a safe, it is a cabinet. Nice for storage, but don't consider it to be protection against theft or fire or anything else you might be concerned about... so what are you really paying for? Get replacement value insurance; it is very cheap and actually does defend against theft and fire. You can get insurance for decades for the amount of money you would spend on a safe that actually protects against theft and fire, and chances are you would not be readily able to move such a beast up and down an apt building anyway.

The "cabinet" in the bedroom closet was my approach. I did this for years with no issues. And also don't leave "stuff" laying out in the common areas, as depending on the apt, you might have maintenance guys coming in to change the air filters, etc, but they shouldn't be looking into your bedroom closet unless they are crooks anyway.

 

[89yj]

"I will probably move the firearms from the apartment to my truck in guitar gig bags to avoid letting others know what I have."

This way, wouldn't you end up being visited by neighbourhood guitar thieves?

I second this thought. When I lived in an apartment I rarely shot my long guns. Pistols were much easier to throw in a regular duffle bag. Now I'm in a townhouse and just move them to and from my truck when nobody is outside. I stage the guns at the front door and go outside to unlock the truck and look for nosey neighbors.

 

[NMGonzo]

Hiding them is always an option.

 

[Deanimator]

IMO, a cheap safe is not really a safe, it is a cabinet. Nice for storage, but don't consider it to be protection against theft or fire or anything else you might be concerned about... so what are you really paying for? Get replacement value insurance; it is very cheap and actually does defend against theft and fire.

I don't have anywhere to "hide" guns that the most inept thief wouldn't know about.

I have a reasonably priced gun safe so that casual thieves can't just walk in and walk out with guns. A Stack-On cabinet BARELY qualifies and I would consider that a real waste of money other than to keep small children away from guns and ammunition.

Some of my guns would be hard to "replace" for a reasonable amount of money, at least around here. S&W doesn't make ANY of my revolvers anymore and I wouldn't have most of what they currently make. I've lost nothing by making it harder for that crackhead in a hurry to get some guns for minimal effort.

 

[Kingofthehill]

http://www.bedgunsafe.com/

 

[Warhawk83]

^

Thieves usually turn over mattresses because some people still keep cash and God knows what else under theirs.

 

[sonick808]

In an apartment, the best thing you can do is try to layer as much security as you can.

Second floor if possible. Most break-ins are first floor. Third floor, better. Fourth, better yet. Not for fire of course.

Strikemaster 2 jamb reinforcer on all external doors. 3" wood screws all around, hinges, everything.

Alarm. You can buy lasershield w/2 fobs, monitoring and 2 motion sensors for 250$ and 19 a month. Or spend more if you can

better locks. Someone else has your keys. When your managers arent' looking, install Abloy deadbolts and keyed knobs. Something that can't be bumped or raked like EVERYTHING at home depot. A less-expensive secure alternative are Schlage Everest & Everest Primus products. I don't trust Medeco anymore after they were compromised w/a pen years ago.

secrecy. don't let anyone see you bring "gun stuff" or guns in. keep it to yourself. LImit visitors.

call office and tell them "no entry without me being home". They'll find out anyway when they encounter the abloys

Gun safe that won't fall through the floor

or, Gun cabinet lag screwed to the wall. Pretty effective when the alarm is wailing at 130db and the cops have been called (and the unit is announcing such).

Extra insurance on your guns. Most renter's policies max out at 2500 for guns by default, regardless of cumulative $ coverage. See surplusrifle.com homepage for a good article on coverage of guns by renter's insurance.

Surveillance cameras w/infrared/night vision. DVR. off-site or at least obfuscated storage medium

TV on when you're gone, or opto-electronics "TV simulator". Nothing says "I'm Home" like a television.

Know your neighbors. If they're the trustworthy type by your gut standard, setup a quasi neighborhood watch.

Rent in a "crime-free multihousing act" facility. At least that's what they call it in AZ. Check your state.

I barred my windows also. Some will feel that is too far.

Those are all of the tactics i'm using so far, and no troubles yet.

Keep a gun on you in the house. In the shower. On the toilet.

Place obstacles in the way of straight-shots to valuables (ie safe)

Please correct me (anyone) if these aren't sound or you have issue with any of them. I'm just throwing out as i learn.

These can all be done without being paranoid or looking like a paranoid fruitcake.