Gun Safes and the law

[Guest]

If I have no kids around, is there any legal reason I have to have a gun safe? In my case I have just a couple of long-guns and when am not home I take the carry gun with me 99% of the time unless going somewhere I can't carry. So while I will probably get a safe down the road if the collection grows, am I doing anything legally "negligent"? The same question applies to leaving them without the trigger locks locked on, and/or leaving pistols loaded while not home.

I have no kids around and it is private property, so I assume this is OK... But thanks for any clarification if I'm wrong.

[RobertNashville]

All my guns are loaded all the time - an unloaded" gun is a dangerous gun.

I never use trigger locks - any gun not in my gun safe is ready for action; if it isn't then I don't need it out of the gun safe.

Now, I don't have any children and if I have visitors, every gun except the one I have on IS in my gun safe!

I'm not an attorney but no, I don't believe you are doing anything "illegal" by not having a gun safe or by not using trigger locks. That said, and in my opinion, a "gun safe" should be part of an overall home security plan. I have a good gun safe - I also have a monitored home security system and monitored fire detection system...I also have reinforced my entry doors and I have multiple lights outside, some on timers and some that are motion sensitive...I have a viscous (sounding) dog and I also am an active part of my Neighborhood Watch group.

All of the above is important to protecting my gun collection and other belongings from fire and theft and while the gun safe is a major piece of it; it is just a "piece".

It doesn't sound like you have a lot of money or emotions tide up in the firearms you have right now; as such, you might want to consider an inexpensive cabinet that would at least be a minor deterrent to a would be thief.

For me, taking reasonable steps to protect your firearms from theft is just part and parcel of being a responsible gun owner.

Edited November 21, 2011 by RobertNashville

[Guest Baron]

I had the majority of my original collection stolen out of cheapo Walmart gun safe. The were able to bend the corners of the door out just enough to grab all the handguns they could reach and all of the shorter rifles.

I have dealt with more than my fair share of robberies, but none come close the the theft of my firearms. Memphis Police turned my house into a crime scene with no less than 6 offices taking finger prints and looking for other evidence. Any other time they just did a visual inspection of the house, took a report and left. I received quite a brow beating from one of the officers who had a lot of questions for me and the rest of the family.

Today, most of my firearms are about as protected as I can make them with 7 layers of security. Anyone who breaks in might get lucky and find the shotgun (highly doubt it), but they won't find anything else. I have honestly carried some guilt for not being more responsible. I often think about who's hands my firearms got into. Never again!

[Guest twpayne75]

I had the majority of my original collection stolen out of cheapo Walmart gun safe. The were able to bend the corners of the door out just enough to grab all the handguns they could reach and all of the shorter rifles.

I have dealt with more than my fair share of robberies, but none come close the the theft of my firearms. Memphis Police turned my house into a crime scene with no less than 6 offices taking finger prints and looking for other evidence. Any other time they just did a visual inspection of the house, took a report and left. I received quite a brow beating from one of the officers who had a lot of questions for me and the rest of the family.

Today, most of my firearms are about as protected as I can make them with 7 layers of security. Anyone who breaks in might get lucky and find the shotgun (highly doubt it), but they won't find anything else. I have honestly carried some guilt for not being more responsible. I often think about who's hands my firearms got into. Never again!

The exact same situation happened to my brother several years ago. What's an insult to injury is when ATF starts paying you visits and you realize that there is a chance you may be facing prosecution and possible jail and fines when some POS breaks into your house and steals from you.

[Guest bkelm18]

Even if you did have kids, you are not legally required to have a safe or any type of lock. As far as your situation: locks are nice, safes are better, but insurance is king.

[Guest]

Today, most of my firearms are about as protected as I can make them with 7 layers of security. Anyone who breaks in might get lucky and find the shotgun (highly doubt it), but they won't find anything else. I have honestly carried some guilt for not being more responsible. I often think about who's hands my firearms got into. Never again!

I think for my situation, with a relatively low amount invested in the modest "collection" of a few guns, that is the most-convincing argument. While my loss in the occasion of a theft wouldn't be a lot more than a decent safe, keeping a few firearms out of the hands of the criminals is worthy in my book. I'll have to look into some of the more reasonable models and maybe work something into the budget.... thanks to all for the input and educating.

[DaveTN]

but insurance is king.

^ This.

I have zero responsibility if a criminal burglarizes my home and steals guns as long as I report them stolen.

[RobertNashville]

^ This.

I have zero responsibility if a criminal burglarizes my home and steals guns as long as I report them stolen.

Yes...mine are insured too. However, I'd still feel sick if I lost any of them whether to fire or theft; even more so thinking about what some criminal might use them for.

[BJB]

Insurance is King but only as good as your records you keep on your firearms. I had several stolen out of my car (locked and parked in my drive) but I did not have the serial numbers for each gun documented..........so I could not prove their value. I too took a brow beating from the local police. I now have a good safe with pictures and serial numbers of each gun I own down loaded on my computer and backed up on a flash drive that is in another safe. Having your guns locked in a safe is not a law, but I think you owe it to your self to protect what is yours. My CC is cocked lock and ready to roll, the rest are just locked.

[Guest dubaholic2]

if you get a safe, dont skimp. the cheapo safes like stack on and the like are just that-cheap. they provide little in the way of break in protection and offer no fire protection. you can get a decent liberty for $699 or less if you catch them on sale and they are top notch safes. they're also made in america and offer a lifetime warranty!

[EastHipster]

Another thing to consider is that you don't want to come home and get shot by an intruder with your own gun...

I have an Alarm system so I just need to make my guns not get found/stolen quickly.

A friend of mine had his house broken into.

The Police asked what was stolen...'a pistol, a rifle, $200 cash and a lot of prescription Meds'.

They were HATING him

[chances R]

I had the majority of my original collection stolen out of cheapo Walmart gun safe. The were able to bend the corners of the door out just enough to grab all the handguns they could reach and all of the shorter rifles.

I have dealt with more than my fair share of robberies, but none come close the the theft of my firearms. Memphis Police turned my house into a crime scene with no less than 6 offices taking finger prints and looking for other evidence. Any other time they just did a visual inspection of the house, took a report and left. I received quite a brow beating from one of the officers who had a lot of questions for me and the rest of the family.

Today, most of my firearms are about as protected as I can make them with 7 layers of security. Anyone who breaks in might get lucky and find the shotgun (highly doubt it), but they won't find anything else. I have honestly carried some guilt for not being more responsible. I often think about who's hands my firearms got into. Never again!

What brand of safe do you have now?

[Guest Baron]

What brand of safe do you have now?

I do not have any brand of safe nor anything traditional. My brother is a blacksmith welder and I had him custom make what I needed. My system is as follows.

Layer 1 - Neighborhood Security Guard

Layer 2 - Motion lights and cameras

Layer 3 - Security Doors and Windows

Layer 4 - Full Security Alarm System

Layer 5 - Secured Room

Layer 6 - Concealment

Layer 7 - Includes 5 inches of concrete and 3/4 inch of steel.

[Guest Johnboy64]

I have a Cannon 26 gun save securely fastened to the floor with 3/8" bolts. My receipts and other documentation is backed up off site easy to retrieve if needed. I did this after an unwelcome visitor walked off with money, spare keys, TV set, and took a car on a joy ride while were out of town. Didn't touch any guns!!???? We bought the safe soon afterwards. I do not like the idea of one of my weapons ending up in the hands of a bad guy.