Safe Storage Questions

hfwarner3

OK, I used to own one shotgun, three rifles and two handguns. My wife had two handguns. We sold them all when our daughter was on the way four years ago. First, neither my wife or I wanted an unprotected gun in the house around the kids and, second, the money helped afford baby stuff.

After some recent events, my wife, the former Marine, has decided that she wants a gun in the house again. I, the former paratrooper, have never stopped wanting guns. The problem is that my wife is now super-paranoid about the kids getting into the guns.

My thoughts are to purchase a decent safe that can be put in the upstairs closet. As long as it can be opened in a few seconds, this offers her the ability to lock herself and the kids in the bedroom, call 911 and go get the shotgun in case of an emergency. I, on the other hand, could store the four or five rifles I want and potentially a handgun or two.

Now, I have *zero* budget, so this means that I will have to save as I can to purchase this safe. My wife is really antsy about buying a gun until we have the safe. Any thoughts on an inexpensive safe that will hold 6-8 long arms, not take too long to open and really keep the kids out? I don't care at all whether it keeps a serious bugler out or not, just worried about the kids. Any thoughts?

Rembrandt

Your wife is absolutely correct in keeping the guns out of the reach of the kids....any responsible parent has an obligation to do so. Size of safe depends on your budget and needs....but for quick access get a digital lock...easy to change code numbers if the kids learn it and fast to open. Expect to pay about $700 an up for a nice unit.

nmyers

I know several people who have the Stack-On gun cabinets, which are about $120 at the big box sporting good stores. They should keep most kids out, but will not withstand a determined assault by a professional burglar. Bolting it to a stud in a locked room will increase the security.

Ideally, you want to get a good quality safe someday, but I understand that not everyone can afford one. At least you are not one of those clueless people who say, "I'll hide my guns under the bed or on the top shelf; no one would think to look for them there."

Neal

JustC

they sell some cheap ones at Wal mart also. Metal bodies will keep out the kids and inept burglars.

A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.

nunn

I use a big safe for most guns, and they are unloaded. For my everyday working guns that stay loaded, I use a Gunvault GV1000. I can open it in the dark in less than a second.

SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the best gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net

elundgr

I bought a cheap Homak safe at outdoor world. I know, I know, it is useless against a determined burglar, but it keeps the kids out real good :-) And for 89.99 you can't beat it!

Eric

PS I also bought some desiccant bags for the inside. Lost a shotgun to rust as a dumb kid and am once bitten twice shy so to speak.

Thanks,
Eric

Edited by - elundgr on 05/17/2002 16:24:53

daddo

If it's the kids only you want to keep out, then the least costly is to simply put a deadbolt lock on the door to your closet. Cost is about $18.00. You can also place an alarm on the door should it be opened- cost-about $20.00.
Mount the lock about 5 1/2 feet up the door.

MrNathanLee

May i also maybe suggst a trigger lock for the firearms you would not use for home defence and i also saw a pistol safe on gunbroker for around 150 that would mount under your bed or something and would only hold a single pistol and maybe a couple extra mags and imho that might be a good idea to use if you are going to have a pistol as home defence. Also as a kid myself (only 19) i believe the best thing my dad ever did was take me out shooting with my other 2 brothers when i was about 11 and teach me gun safety and basic shooting cause later on that same year i was looking for something and i found what looked to me to be a real firearms completly unlocked and just closed the drawr (sp?) and walked away from it without even picking it up to look at it cause i knew that they were dangerous weapons and i had no business "playing" with it, although by the sounds of it you would be smarter than him and that would never happen but who is to say your kids wouldnt have come over to my house when i was younger and maybe found it and i was not wise enough to know not to play with a firearm?

well thats just my $free.99 and i really hope you never have to actually use these firearms in home defence.

Gun control is being able to hit your target!

Enemy Down

easygo6

My .02...Go Marine!!

Seriously, I agree that the easiest way is a gun CABINENT (Momak, Gun Vault, etc)that IS BOLTED TO WALL STUDS. A deadbolt placed high on the frame of the closet door would be good too (for YOUNG children). The installation of the lock may be a little more time consuming than boltiong in the gun cabinent.

Think about this though. If both of the above options are considered viable...which would place the gun in your hands and at the ready quickest IN A PANIC SITUATION? I know my closets are cluttered and a gun left leaning in a corner of the dead-bolted closet (assuming the deadbolt is used.. does not become a CONVENIENCE issue) would quickly be buried in clutter. A handgun would be buried quicker except if it was placed on a shelf. The gun vault would keep your firearms uncluttered and in ONE PLACE. However, it will consume some closet space.

JUST SOME ISSUES TO THINK ABOUT.

SEMPER FI

Mercury

What do you have against buglers? They are needed in time of war!

How do you feel about trumpeters?


Merc



NO! You may not have my guns! Now go crawl back into your hole!

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"Tolerating things you may not necessarily like is part of being free" - Larry Flynt