Where Do You Keep Your Long Guns?

[Majorlk]

You live in the boonies, redneck, most of us don't. There have been over a dozen home invasions within 50 miles of me in the last year, five of them resulting in fatalities. I also carry virtually every time I leave the house.

Some people live with their heads in the sand, others have them on a swivel. I know which applies to me.

FWIW, the only children that are ever in my house are my grandchildren and all of them are active shooters, including the nine-year old who has his own 15-22. He's been shooting for over a year. Even if everything were out in the open, it would not be a problem at my house because they have been taught proper gun safety. I admit a toddler or two is a totally different issue.

 

[OSYM8113]

Ok the first part "the Chicago way" is pretty much the safest way to store guns(for untrained, undisciplined, marauding kids), but the second part totally negates the first.

When any of us grew up...how many "accidents" were there?

We had rifles, pistols and shotguns all easily accessable in my house as well as all my freinds. We knew not to touch them without dads OK.

Now, that being said. If I had any weapons in my house my kids would be the same.

No one in my house younger than 20s and everyone knows what they are doing, I'm good =). the ones I have disassembled are strictly target guns, I'm just usually too lazy to reassemble completely after I clean them. Plus it makes my liberal inanimate object fearing mother feel better. I just don't talk about the HDW all ready to go sitting next to it all.

When people are over the closet stays locked and closed, problem solved.

I should also add I don't keep my HDW with a round chambered, just a loaded mag. I am fully aware things fall over in creaky houses (i dont have a rack, yet) no negligent discharges will happen in my home.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

You live in the boonies, redneck, most of us don't. There have been over a dozen home invasions within 50 miles of me in the last year, five of them resulting in fatalities. I also carry virtually every time I leave the house.

Good Lord, you live in Baghdad?

Mississippi is looking better all the time.

 

[breal201999]

I have one of these in my bedroom closet. Not fireproof, or fool proof... but good to keep out of access from my kids.

In wall safe

I think I paid less than $70 on Amazon.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

I have one of these in my bedroom closet. Not fireproof, or fool proof... but good to keep out of access from my kids.

In wall safe

I think I paid less than $70 on Amazon.

That looks cool & actually had an employee today asking about that exact type safe. I'll let him know.

I think if I had it, I'd order some safety type labels saying "Danger - High Voltage" or something like that.

 

[joenuclear]

EMP's

Nuclear Weapon EMP Effects

I wonder about keeping weapons under any form of electronic lock.

An EMP can come from a nuke or solar activity. There could be a lot of high dollar safes with no way to open them.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

Nuclear Weapon EMP Effects

I wonder about keeping weapons under any form of electronic lock.

An EMP can come from a nuke or solar activity. There could be a lot of high dollar safes with no way to open them.

I was a Minuteman Missile Combat Crew Commander, so am rather familiar with EMP & the damage it can cause.

This gun lock comes with a key to open also. The electronic aspect is just for instantaneous access. Failure of that part would not prevent you from opening the lock with the key.

Also, at the point we have nukes going off over Mississippi ( or actually anywhere) then all locks come off & guns will be out & ready.

 

[Kayback]

Good Lord, you live in Baghdad?

Mississippi is looking better all the time.

It is called the real world.

Actually, compared to Baghdad where I live isn't too far off. I also carry every waking hour. There isn't going to be a ND with my firearm as it is in a properly designed holster, and I don't mess with it.

As for holding my wife hostage, I'm gonna want to know why she didn't shoot them herself and save me the trouble. She also EDC's. About the only time that'll work is if they hold a kid hostage.

I'll admit this is a possibility as my gun is locked up at night, but it is in a safe on the bed side table.

As for your locks, Ah, I didn't see that butt cup. Thanks for pointing that out. These actually look quite decent and a nice compromise between locked and accessible.

KBK

 

[Joe in SC]

If I am home the AR is handy but out of sight. Away from home locked up tighter than Fort Knox as all my few guns are.

 

[kdailey]

I can not imagine not having a loaded ready to go firearm in my home and in my automobile. I have two gun safes to store my regular firearms, but my personal protection arms are certainly not going to have locks and or disassembled. I teach my grandchildren well just like I taught my children and like I was taught. The best gun safety is between our ears.

 

[richeyo2]

I have two boys myself & they know not to touch a firearm w/o myself or there mother, just as I did growing up. Can it be guaranteed they will not touch? I'd have to say no not a 100% but not much in life is guaranteed a 100%.

But proper training & real parent talks about dangers of firearms make me 99.5% sure they wouldn't touch them. My boys are never at home alone nor do they know where all the ones not in the safe are kept. IMO parenting a child goes further & does more than a safe can.

The safe is great for firearms that are mainly used at the range IMO, but I too also have access to a firearm in every room.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

I found out that my comments insulted someone and for that I publicly, as I did privately, apologize.

My intent here is to learn & to carry on a dialog where others can learn too. Learn what options might be out there. Learn how others live. Learn why the right to bear arms is so vital. My Baghdad comment was a joke but after reading here & watching the news... I know home security is much more important for some than others.

I personally lock up every firearm but that doesn't mean I demand (as in the government) or think everyone else should. I believe in personal responsibility. I do hear what folks are saying about proper training being the key, even when loaded guns are kept unlocked. I agree but just know myself. As hard as I try, I'm not perfect. As hard as I try, I am forgetful and make mistakes. I know we all, but especially kids, do stupid things... even when trained otherwise.

I hoped to get input on my storage solution & I thank y'all for your comments. IMO, these locks could be used by many who want a loaded gun handy but don't want them locked away & hard to get during stressful times. I picture a police officer out in his car. He doesn't want to keep his AR laying around but he needs immediate access to it... just like so many of you. This lock system was designed for that purpose. It is not perfect, but nothing is. I just feel this system provides that extra bit of safety yet does not slow you down in the least... assuming you use the electric unlock.

 

[Majorlk]

Jim,

He doesn't want to keep his AR laying around but he needs immediate access to it... just like so many of you.

We differ on the definition of immediate access. Immediate means RIGHT NOW, not "wait, mr attacker while I open my safe in the basement or unlock my electric locks in the closet upstairs." Also the police officer is not unarmed while he fiddles with the electric lock.

I just feel this system provides that extra bit of safety yet does not slow you down in the least.

Anything that requires you to go somewhere and do something to access a firearm slows you down when seconds count.

I prefer my way.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

Jim,
We differ on the definition of immediate access. Immediate means RIGHT NOW, not "wait, mr attacker while I open my safe in the basement or unlock my electric locks in the closet upstairs." Also the police officer is not unarmed while he fiddles with the electric lock.

You are so right. My comments are more directed to folks that keep a loaded gun unlocked in say a bedroom closet or even a safe. What I use is not quick enough for someone that packs something 24/7.

In my situation, I have gone from having unloaded (magazine removed) ARs leaning in the bedroom closet to having them locked down. With the electric switch, I can retrieve that gun as quick as before, so in my situation that is what I mean by immediate. I have increased my security & have not slowed down my access to the gun. On top of that, I would feel very comfortable keeping loaded magazines in the guns now, so actually my speed is better.

Your way is best for you. My way is best for me. Ain't America grand?

 

[Majorlk]

You are so right. My comments are more directed to folks that keep a loaded gun unlocked in say a bedroom closet or even a safe. What I use is not quick enough for someone that packs something 24/7.

If a firearm is locked in a safe, it is immaterial whether it is loaded or unloaded, locked or unlocked. It's locked away from unauthorized access.

FWIW, every firearm in my vault is always loaded.

 

[kdailey]

I believe it was Clint Smith who told a Lady who questioned his carry of a 1911 as being dangerous, "Madam, I would not carry the *** if it wasn't dangerous."

 

[brucev]

Curious how folks store their rifles when not in use. I went with Santa Cruz gun locks for my AR & my 10-15. Until I get the electric hooked up & locate a switch in another room, I am using the handcuff key for entry. Not the fastest method & maybe not the most secure, but my main concern is to keep the guns out of the hands of kiddies. For fast reaction I keep my 9mm Sig loaded in a locked gun safe bolted to bedside table.

Now you see them...

View attachment 102088

Now you don't.
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I keep my rifles and shotgun in a walnut gun cabinet that was built by one of my church members back in 1986. He used a walnut tree off his property that was damaged in a storm. My handguns are stored in the various drawers of my dresser. A RIA 1911 stuffed with some nice 230 gr. hardball stays on the top of the nightstand. When guest come over, the 1911 is unloaded and put in the top dresser drawer. All my ammunition is stored in a separate closet away from the firearms.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

I keep my rifles and shotgun in a walnut gun cabinet that was built by one of my church members back in 1986. He used a walnut tree off his property that was damaged in a storm.

Boy, I bet that is a beauty. I so love walnut & so appreciate homemade furniture. We have quite a few old pieces of furniture made by my wife's relatives from over a 100 years ago. They are special to us as I bet that cabinet is to you.

 

[OldEagleEars]

When my grandkids moved in I decided it was time to get a safe even though they are trained and own their own pistols (also in the safe). My son keeps his LC9 in his room in a pistol vault. My 1911 is in a lockbox in my nightstand and the box is carriage-bolted into the drawer. When I'm not home the box is locked. I carry a S&W .380 Bodyguard that is usually inside my waistband and if not, then in the drawer with the .45. I believe there are more people with the right to bear arms than people with the brains to bear arms and I don't intend to let my guns be used stupidly by one of those folks.