The Necessity of Safe Storage

In light of the recently highlighted tragedies in which children were killed because a gun was left unsecured by its owner, we need to go over some basics of storing guns securely to the absolute best of our abilities.

Basic Safety Reminder

RULE ZERO: Treat the gun like it is LOADED and assume the gun is loaded until proven otherwise.

A Sentry Safe (model unknown), class 350-2R. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Storing Handguns

• If the handgun is not used for immediate home defense, then it should be unloaded and in a safe
• If the handgun is used for immediate home defense, then it should be carried in a holster on your person or in a quick access safe.
• If you have kids, DO NOT try to hide the gun. They will find it.
  • Teach them about gun safety.
  • “Abstinence only” education on guns is just stupid.

Storing Rifles and Long Guns

• If the rifle is not used for immediate defense, then it should be unloaded and stored.
• If the rifle is used for immediate home defense, it should be readily accessible or in a dedicated safe for quick access in an emergency situation.
  • DO NOT STORE LOADED GUNS ALONGSIDE UNLOADED GUNS.

“But I don’t have enough money or space for a safe!”

That is a poor excuse for not securing your guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.It is your responsibility to store a gun securely. Even in states where you will not be held criminally or civilly liable for not storing your guns correctly, the public opprobrium of being an irresponsible gun owner never goes away in the internet age.

Inexpensive safes like this one are available here.

If you are poor or simply cannot spare any space, then your options are improvised safe storage techniques. THIS IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE for using a gun vault or safe.

1. Remove the magazine or (unload the cylinder) of the firearm you intend to secure
2. Double check the action to make sure that it is unloaded.
3. Keep the action open
   • You can also remove and store the bolt or slide of the gun somewhere else and then continue to step 4
4. Run a python cable lock through the action of the gun(s)
5. Lock the python cable lock onto something really heavy.

Ammo Storage

I like the Plano Field Boxes a lot since they are not bulky and relatively inexpensive. They also have two holes on them that allow you to run a thin python cable lock through them to secure them from unauthorized access.

English: A third-generation 9mm Glock 17 with a cable lock. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Related articles

• Toddler?s death spotlights gun safety courses (TBO.com)
• Newly Opened Gun Safe Security Helps Gun Owners Store Firearms (prweb.com)
• Access Of Evil: How The NRA Protects Children From Being Safe (mediaite.com)
• A Real Gun Safety Bill (onlygunsandmoney.blogspot.com)
• What I would like to see in the USA (toshootagun.wordpress.com)
• NRA ‘Home Defense’ Course Instructs Audience To Store Guns In Kids’ Room (democraticunderground.com)
• CaseCruzer Adds Touch of James Bond to the 2 Pack Quick Draw Prepper Handgun Case (prweb.com)
• NRA Convention Speaker: Stash Guns In Kids’ Bedrooms (huffingtonpost.com)
• NRA ‘Home Defense’ Course Instructs Audience To Store Guns In Kids’ Room (thinkprogress.org.feedsportal.com)
• Personal Gun Control: Safety Tips for You and Your Family (simplisafe.com)

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Tagged with: Adam Lanza, education, firearms, Gun, gun control, gun safety, Guns, Handgun, handguns, Nancy Lanza, National Rifle Association, Newtown, NRA, Safe, safety, Safety (firearms), self defense
Posted in Gun Safety