5 Rules All Gun Owners Should Know and Follow for Proper Gun Storage

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Proper gun storage is a must for any gun owner. Unfortunately, there’s much less guidance out there for new gun owners when it comes to storage than many would like. If you’re looking to properly store your guns, you’ll want to keep the following five rules in mind.

Know the Difference Between Stored and Locked

It’s very important to remember that a stored gun is not necessarily a safe gun. There are plenty of ways to store your gun that don’t actually reduce access, so make sure that any method of storage you use actually has some kind of locking mechanism. Whether this means a keypad, a biometric lock, or even a traditional lock and key, make sure that you have something in place to keep your weapons locked away.

Portability Isn’t Safety

There are many different storage solutions out there, but try to remember that bulk adds an extra degree of safety from theft. A big gun safe might take up a lot of room, but it won’t be as easy to remove from your home if someone breaks in. While some people definitely don’t have the space for a big storage solution, try to remember that storage doesn’t always mean that it’s theft-proof.

Maintenance Matters

Whether you’re storing AR-15 rifles or old hunting gear, you need to make sure that you are still maintaining your weapon. Make sure that it goes into storage clean and that you do some basic maintenance on a regular basis. Many gun owners tend to put guns into storage and forget about them, which can reduce the safety of the weapon and ruin your ability to use it for its intended purpose.

Reduced Access is Key

An important part of the storage process is reduced access. If your storage solution has a key, make sure that you are the only person who has access. If it has a code, don’t share it with others. Your storage solution is only safe when you keep access to minimal levels.

Every Gun is Loaded

This is a common bit of gun wisdom, but it’s one that should be reiterated for stored guns. Even if your gun has been in a gun safe for six months, you still need to treat it as if it is loaded when you take it out of the safe. Remember, basic gun safety applies any time you handle a weapon.

Always remember that gun storage is an important part of being a gun owner. Take care of your weapon and make sure that you’re always aware of how your gun is stored. Make sure to put in the effort to keep your guns safe in order to get the most out of your weapon purchases.

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