Are you wondering how to keep your firearms safe at home? Or maybe you’re planning on moving your gun collection, but don’t know where to start? If either of those sounds like you, then you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s get this out of the way first: The safest place for a firearm is with you, its owner. But you can’t always have your gun on you, especially if you’re moving. Your next best bet is to make sure that your guns are stored safely. The best way to do that is to invest in a gun safe.
But Why Store Guns Safely?
It’s easy to keep your firearms scattered around so that you have easy access to them, but that’s not responsible gun ownership. Your problems will get bigger if there are children in your house, who might be able to gain access to your firearms. As much as possible, your guns should be secured so that people who shouldn’t have access to them, don’t.
Don’t Underestimate Children
You might be tempted to place trigger locks on your firearms and call it a day. Don’t do that. If there are young or especially older children in your house, a trigger lock won’t be enough to stop them from mishandling your gun.
Also keep in mind that very young children might not be able to distinguish between toy guns and real guns, so you should always keep your firearms safely secured.
When storing your guns, make sure that they are uncocked, and unloaded. Always treat your firearms as if they’re loaded, even if you’ve just unloaded them yourself.
If you know how to disassemble them, then that’s an even better trick for safe firearm storage. In case you’re unsure how to disassemble your firearms, contact a professional to either guide you or disassemble them for you.
Gun Safe Or Gun Cabinet?
If you don’t want to put down the money for a gun safe, you might look into getting a gun cabinet, since their locks will be enough to deter children. We don’t recommend this, for a few reasons.
First off, gun cabinets are much lighter than safes, allowing robbers to simply pick them up and carry them away, if they’re determined enough.
Secondly, gun cabinets tend to be made of flimsier material than safes. This metal won’t put up much resistance against someone trying to pry it open. It also won’t resist heat as well as a gun safe can, making it an unsafe bet if a fire affects your home.
Small Vs Large Safes
If you only have a few handguns, then a small safe should be enough for storage. Simply carry it over to your truck or moving vehicle. If you don’t have a small safe, you can also just use the original case of your guns.
However, if your collection has a few long arms, then you’ll need a larger safe for them. In this case, you should get your gun safe onto a moving dolly, and secure it with straps. Make sure that you have a spotter or helper to assist you, since gun safes are often quite heavy.
Features To Look Out For
A biometric lock is a great thing to have on any safe, but especially in a gun safe. This feature makes sure that only you can open your safe. Plus, most biometric gun safes can be opened in more than one way, such as through a keypad or a key.
You should also make sure that your gun safe has pry-resistant hinges and edges, to deter would-be-thieves who might try to break in.
Finally, a good gun safe should have mounting holes, so that you can securely anchor it to the wall or floor. Keeping your gun safe well-mounted helps make it harder to remove.
Prepare Your Firearms For Storage And Transport
Make sure to keep your ammunition in a separate area from the guns themselves, and store them in an area where they won’t be affected by heat and moisture. This is because humidity and moisture can damage your ammunition. On the other hand, temperatures that are too high can cause explosions and fire.
You’ll also want to bring a few documents with you when you move your firearms. These would be the proof of ownership, and legal documents so that you can prove that they are yours. When preparing your firearms for storage and transport, it is essential to follow all legal regulations and safety protocols to avoid any potential weapons-related offenses. Seeking advice from a Toronto Weapons Offence Lawyer can provide you with valuable insights and ensure you comply with the law, safeguarding yourself from legal complications.
It’s also a good idea to create a full list of your guns, including their serial number, model, and manufacturer. If you’re asking a moving company for help, then they should have a copy of this masterlist as well.
Ask A Moving Company For Help
The safest way to move your guns into a new home is to hire a moving company. These professionals will be familiar with any local laws concerning firearm transportation in your area, and they’ll know how to move your guns properly.
Just remember that you need to tell the moving company what you are moving, and where. You don’t want to run into trouble by concealing the fact that you’re moving firearms.
Conclusion
When it comes to storing and moving your guns safely, it’s not especially hard to do. If you don’t know where to start, call a moving company for help and ask them how to get started. Plus, if you have friends who have moved their guns before, you can call them, and they can help you get started. Always keep your guns stored securely, for your peace of mind, and for the safety of everyone involved.