What gun should I stick in the safe deposit box?

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I would go with a revolver in this case. While the jury is still out on the spring issue (with the consensus leaning toward it not being a problem), it is still one less thing for Mr. Murphy to come play with.

Greg
 
I can think of several reasons why it's a good idea to store a few extra weapons off site.

If you are involved in a shooting the police will confiscate the gun you used. If the shooting was at your home, it is very possible that will confsicate ALL the guns at your residence.

If someone takes out a restraining order against you, you have to remove all firearms from your control or turn them over to the police. Even if the restraining order is cancelled, it may take time to get them returned.

As to what to put in the box, I'd suggest a duplicate of your current defensive gun or a close substitute. At the very least, it should be a gun you are familiar with and would trust your life too. It may be the only gun you have access too for awhile.

I was just thinking about this very thing the other day and I think I'm going to buy another Makarov just to stick in a box or some other secure location. A Mak, holster and ammo would run me less then $200.

My second choice would be a 3" inch .357 revolver like my current Model 65 carry rig. The gun and holster would be more expensive then the Mak though, which is a concern right now.

An alternative to the safety deposit box would be to have a trusted friend or relative store one of your pistols in their safe. This has both advantages and drawbacks when compared to a safe deposit box, but it is a possibility.
 
I think I would call the bank in question and ask a general question or two about it before I walked into a bank with a gun and some ammo for long term storage. You would be better off burying it in the backyard. At least you don't have to worry about getting to the gun when the bank is closed.
 
IIRC the FDIC affiliation issue is a red herrings and that there is no such restriction. The banks are commercial institutions, not Federal property (which really is OUR property, right? :rolleyes: )

I don't remember the source, but it may have been linked from http://www.packing.org.
 
Either way I suggest researching the full legality of this before doing it. We dont need more people breaking laws and making it harder on us.
 
Whatever gun you decide to put in the box(or store offsite at a friends house), dont forget a extra belt and holster(at least the holster). It wont do you much good to have a copy of your carry gun somewhere, and nothing to carry it in. I wouldnt worry about springset, as with modern steels that is a myth, and its the coiling and uncoiling of springs that wear them out, not sitting in one position. Personally if I was setting up a gun stored offsite, it would be my star bm, 3 magazines, a box of extra ammo, belt, holster, and two magazine pouches. My reasoning would be its a inexpensive gun, that fires a good cartridge, and its the easiest of my fullsize guns to conceal. Im not very likely to use a safety deposit box, but when my brother and Igraduate and have seperate houses, we will probally store firearms and other gear at each others place. If money was no object, it would be a browning hipower as I prefer the doublestack magazine, and the ability to use +P ammo.
 
To the best of my recollection from working at a bank, it is against Federal Laws to bring a firearm into a bank that's FDIC affiliated (that's just about all of them). So, technically you'd be in violation of Federal laws to have a firearm in a bank safe deposit box.

I've never had a problem packing while at the bank. That's one of the reasons I still use that bank. Any bank in this area that post against carrying on premises is rare enough to be considered an oddity. I think I may have seen one, but it was a credit union and I didn't go inside.
 
What if you forget who you are and in your search to discover your identity you find this safety deposit box key around your neck and then you go to the box and find the gun in there. You have to admit it will be a pretty dramatic clue, won't it,... JASON!

With the amount of money he had in that box, I could just buy a new gun and then retire comfortably with the hot chick I bribed to give me a ride.
 
To the best of my recollection from working at a bank, it is against Federal Laws to bring a firearm into a bank that's FDIC affiliated (that's just about all of them). So, technically you'd be in violation of Federal laws to have a firearm in a bank safe deposit box.


Uuuh, that is about 100% pure and utter BS.

Someone sold you a book of lies on this one.
 
Firearms in Safety Deposit Boxes

Years ago, when I was a FFL, I received from the BATF a letter stating that Class 3 weapons holders were comitting felonys by leaving their weapons with local police and sherriffs when going on vacation. the Feds reasoning was since the police had not been cleared for that weapon they were in violation by having it, and its owner was in violation by not securing his class weapons.

The solution was to store those class 3 (machine guns) weapons in a bank safety deposit box with dual custody key set up. You have one key, the bank has the other. Without your key the box can not be opened, it must be broken into.

At the time I also worked for Brinks. I told bank managment about this, and they refused to beleave me. I brought the BATF Circular into the banks and showed them, and the were shocked that the government was telling people to brings guns into banks.

So, at one time even the government suggested putting weapons in safety deposit boxes.
 
I've stored Class III weapons in safety deposit boxes. They didn't ask what was in the gym bag. I didn't tell.

But it is easy for government agencies to query the surrounding financial institutions as to your accounts. They will tell them.
 
Most decent banks seem to have a firm "don't ask don't tell" policy when it comes to deposit boxes. I think this is because the very nature of a deposit box indicates at least some desire for privacy. Of course they wouldnt hesitate for a moment to open the box for the authorities.
 
I put my Sig 226 in the box, along with two spare mags, holster, mag carrier and 200 rounds of 9mm JHP.

The main reason for selecting this gun was that it was bought from a private party.

Having already had one visit from BATF, I decided I wanted a firearm that they couldn't know about stashed some place off-premisis.
sounds good, something fairly common and useful for anti-tyranny 2nd amendment uses. authorities have to get a court order to open that box, assuming some procedural law remains. anyway people puts lots of things in safety deposit boxes, as long as it gives you some peace of mind who can argue.
 
I like small revolvers for guns to be put up for a long while. No magazine springs to take a set, no mainspring to take a set. Be sure to wipe down thoroughly and put some silica gel dessicant in the box, too.

I also think I'd wrap it in a paper towel and put it in a clean ziplock bag. Keeps out moisture, prevents casual view when the box is opened, eliminates trace scent from coming out, allows instant use if really, really needed.
 
i guess i'm not the only one who has considered this

when I get around to it I'll probably put a makarov, 4 or 5 mags, and about 200 rnds or so in a box
 
The solution was to store those class 3 (machine guns) weapons in a bank safety deposit box with dual custody key set up. You have one key, the bank has the other. Without your key the box can not be opened, it must be broken into.
Funny you mention that. I met a guy at my range recently who let me shoot his class 3 rifle. He mentioned to me that the Sheriff refused to sign for him on it unless he agreed to store it in a safe deposit box. Whenever he wants to shoot it, he has to go to the bank to pick it up, go shooting, clean it and then secure it in the safe deposit box again.

Now whether, the sheriff is allowed to require that, I don't know, but this guy obviously agreed to it.


Just curious, but with a custody key setup, don't they have to drill your lock out if they ever wanted to search it?
 
What does your average safety deposit box cost? Montly fee or what? Can anyone who has the key get into it, or must it be the box holder verified with photo ID? Just curious, never really heard how it works...
 
most boxes at major nationwide banks are $50-60 yearly. That usually nets you a box 5 inches wide and 2 inches tall and about 1 1/2 ft. long. Costs go up from there. (prices vary somewhat by geographic region)

Also, the government is not too concerned with safe deposit boxes in general. The only time it could be an issue is if you have a civil judgement againest you and they seize it or your in some kind of grand jury indictment (already in a heap of trouble)
 
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