Hi guys wells looks like I might have to be hospitalized and I'm concerned about my guns I have a good safe but I might be in for a week and I got a lot invested that I've accumulated over the years. Basically here by myself and really don't trust anyone to leave them with while I'm away.

I just don't know what to do but I'm sure this has happen to other people so I came here for help and suggestions, just hoping someone can help a fellow NRA member. Thanks

Tom j.

Hide a trail camera???

Tom,

Without knowing your circumstances, (i.e single family residence, apartment building, high rise, gated community, ghetto, etc.) it is hard to make a recommendation. If you have no close friend to whom you can entrust the monitoring of your place, I would contact your police department and request additional vigilance. That is a pretty common service that departments offer to those who are going to be out of town for an extended period. Don't forget to suspend your papers, mail, and any other routine deliveries.

Good luck in your health care procedures.

Bob

You know I really don't understand this site I wanted to edit the subject matter of my post and they only let you edit the content!! Didn't even see a way to delete it and OMG don't ever forget your password it's almost impossible to hear or read the crpid message.

Tom

Hay thanks sorry it's a single family home, does that help, I have an alarm but the police have changed their policies about responding so I just don't feel comfortable leaving them in the house our with anyone 14 firearms!! And yes I will be suspending all mail! Thanks

Tom

The importance of suspending mail and newspapers is so that it does not pile up and make it obvious no one is there.

You can also buy electric timing devices for ten bucks or so that will turn on and off lights -- or TVs, etc., I suppose -- giving the impression that someone is home.

You can do additional editing by going advanced and be sure to save the changes.

I just hope you can find the help you need from a trusted friend.

Hospitals are no fun and worrying about your home will not make your stay easier.

BLM

Might take them to a pawn shop? Get a loan. They should be safe and you pay the vigorish when you get out.

A good safe, strategically placed and anchored, will deter most burglars. Our agency has a policy that we will do property checks of your residence if you request it.

I would also find someone you trust to respond to alarm calls at your residence while you're in the hospital. They don't need access to your safe, but give the alarm company their contact information in case the alarm goes off.

After that, just worry about getting through the procedure and recovering.

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

Tom,

My recommendation regarding the police wasn't so much related to their responding to an alarm as for you to request an increase in their patrols in your neighborhood. It simply results in the officers on that beat being made aware that they need to increase their observations while you are away. Remember, the first level of force is "Officer Presence"! A Patrol Car driving by at random times is a great deterrent to a problem.

Onomea's suggestion to set several auto timers in various areas is also an excellent one that you should employ at all times.

Bob

Say thanks for your concern!! this is really scary never been arrested no record, I used to be my own security CCW but I just don't know know. Found a security company for the house but haven't bolted the safe down and I can barely walk not I have a fracture in my back, going to see my doctor for my MRI results today.

Tom

I understand thanks for your support.

Tom

You really haven't said what type of help your looking for.

Looks like you really have your bases covered. You have a alarm and safe.

You live in a single family home but unknown location, as for whether a good or bad location nor how close your neighbors are in relation to you house.

If your worried that they could be stolen and used in a crime then break them down and hide the parts. You said you only have 14 firearms so that wouldn't be a lot of problems. My Uncle did this when his dishonest son lived in his house. They took some of his firearms and tried to get the parts for them and the gunsmiths contacted him. Long guns and semi auto are the easiest but you will need to find another way to protect revolvers maybe take the cylinder out if it's not too much of a problem, I don't own any revolvers so I don't know it this is easy to do. Pictures and serial numbers should also be saved in a safe location away from the safe.

You could also get one of those internet cameras where you could watch your house while in the hospital.

Without anyone you could trust your not in a good position. Make sure you have enough insurance to cover your losses not just with firearms.


Close the valves on your washing machine, turn back the hot water heater and like mentioned use timers on lights in different areas of you home. You might also want to cut the grass just before you go in.

And good luck on you hospital stay.

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Psalm 23:4

Thanks I know they have a watch for three days, but that's it as far as I know.

14 guns. Take them to you local gunsmith and ask that he clean and lubricate them. Tell him to take his time (Most of the GS's I deal with are running 16 - 52 + weeks out). If your GS gets to them before you get out of the hospital you owe him. If he hasn't started the work tell him you are here to pick them up and you'll bring them back at a later date.

Class III

Never done this my self but I've seen folks on the forum recommending pawning them. The pawnshop has to hold them for 90 days, and they go in a safe. EDIT ferril beat me to it!

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Even older, even crankier....

edit: If you use a pawnbroker for storage, then you get and pay a background check on each gun. The multiple guns (if handguns) would trigger s report, and possible ATF inquiry.


Banks usually have some extra large safety deposit boxes.

I routinely keep part of my collection there. My box can hold 29 handguns and other small items that fit between the cylinders, barrels and grips.

You can be sure that my March 1931 Outdoorsman in the 22-38 stamped red box lives at the bank. Great peace of mind.

Getting ready for any long trips, I lug in two heavy range bags. When the ladies stare at me from behind the counter, I just say, " it is just my metal collection."

Secure storage facility must be available within a reasonable distance of you. U Haul has some as do other companies. Look around via Google. Good luck. Don't leave them at home in any safe no matter how good you think it is. ............. Big Cholla

Thanks! that's a thought maybe I could pay him to hold just the rifles.

Tom

Youre right at fist I was saying hmm but Im thinking that might actually work! been looking for that post to thank him!!

Tom

At my department, we do, and have, taken valuable items during situations like yours into our property room. Since it's not evidence, the items get released to the owner as soon as the owner comes and gets them. There is a time limit on how long we will keep them, but it's something like 6 months.

Years ago, we had a mailman that was going off route and walking up to back doors and staring into windows. Obviously, he was casing out our neighborhood. Even prior to that, I've been leery of stopping postal service. If at all possible ask a friend or neighbor to get your mail and newspaper. Sad world we live in...

If you have a gun safe--request the local LEO Agency to do a "Vacation Check" of your residence. At my agency typically the midnight shift conducted this assignment with Auxiliary officers performing the assignment during the day.
If no gun safe--secure the firearms in the attic between the ceiling rafters in addition to the Police Security check.

I wouldn't trust the condition of a firearm that I pawned for storage. I've seen how the local pawn shops around here treat firearms that come in. Might be ok if they were in cases or boxes but not sure they would have room in their safe for cases or boxes.

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Psalm 23:4

I'm fairly honest.
Blessings

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TEXAS, by GOD

There are some great suggestions here.

I needed to keep my firearms out of the house and I looked into a 3x5' storage closet at a commercial storage facility. It was around $40 some odd a month. I decided to buy a safe instead because that's a LOT to pay over time but I would still consider it a viable option in the short term.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

You need to get your safe bolted down. Most gun safe companies will do that for a small fee.

Good luck.