When you take on the responsibility of owning a gun, it is up to you to follow certain safety precautions. The most important consideration is investing in a proper gun safe. If you have young children living in your home or visiting often, a gun safe is essential for their safety. Even if the kids are taught about gun safety, accidents can happen and should be avoided at all costs.

 

You can also protect the value of your guns with the installation of a gun safe. They will be safe from burglaries and fire damage. According to industry experts, fire damage and opportunistic theft are the two most common risks for gun owners to think about and prepare for.

 

Floor Attachment

 

If you have a gun safe that was rolled into your home, a thief will be able to roll it out of your home. You can remove this risk by having your safe bolted to the floor. Of course, this tactic of securing your safe assumes a thief knows you have a gun safe and guns to steal.

 

Box Over Hardware

 

Many people get too distracted with the locks, hinges and bolts a gun safe has. However, none of those will matter if the box itself is not sturdy and strong. The structure needs to be durable with insulation and walls that can withstand a beating from a hammer or ax and fires. Once you find a structurally strong gun box, it is time to examine the hardware that comes with it. Another feature to take note of is the door to the safe. It needs to have support around all edges and be rigid enough that it won't buckle under pressure. To determine the soundness of the door, look at how the door jamb is constructed.

 

Choosing A Lock

 

1. Combination Locks

 

•Pros- No batteries, low maintenance and combination sequence difficult to observe.

•Cons- It can be slow to operate when you need to get your gun quickly. Combinations may be easier to defeat. If you forget the combination, you will have to hire a locksmith.

 

2. Electronic

 

•Pros- Easy to use, affordable and flexible. High-end electronic models can be integrated into your home security or surveillance systems. They offer more features than other types. No locksmith is needed to change your combination. Most gun safe salesman suggest the use of an electronic lock.

•Cons- Batteries need to be changed. If you forget to change the batteries and need to reset the combination, a locksmith will have trouble accomplishing the change.

 

3. Biometric

 

•Pros- They are similar to electronic locks with speed of use, easy to use and flexible. Many allow for the storage of multiple fingerprints.

•Cons- Not always reliable. If your finger is dirty or has a cut, the lock may not work. They can be expensive to install, and it is still a relatively new technology.

 

Fire Threats

 

The most likely threat your guns have when stored in a gun safe in your home is a fire. Depending on how valuable your gun collection is, you will need to be sure the safe you choose has the necessary features to protect your guns in the event of a fire. The lining is the most important feature to consider when shopping for a safe. Keep an eye out for things such as gaps in the lining, the thickness of the insulation and how the lining is attached to the walls of the safe. To get a discount on your insurance, you may need to show proof of a UL Security rating for your safe.

 

Storage

 

Another important consideration when choosing a gun safe is the amount of storage space it offers. Many customers end up putting more in their safe than they originally thought they would. Allow for extra space than you think you need. This can ensure you have room to grow your collection. The fireproof feature may have you storing more than guns in your safe.

 

Corrosion Control

 

Dry air is the best way to preserve your gun collection and your gun safe. Closed gun cases can cause issues with firearm storage. Moisture can become trapped inside and damage your belongings. To remedy this issue, place copper-colored sheets called "sacrificial anodes" in your safe. They will become the target of corrosion instead of your gun collection.

 

Installation

 

Once you have chosen a good, large safe to purchase, you will need to have it professionally installed. Shortcuts to buying and installing a safe may end up causing damage to your vehicle. You can also run the risk of injuring yourself because of the sheer weight of a safe. The floor strength where you plan to install your safe will need to be tested for security. If you can, try to camouflage or hide your safe in your home. Put it behind a false wall or place it in an area that is not visible to visitors.