FIREARM STORAGE AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT QUIZ

Storing firearms responsibly and securely when they’re not in use is the #1 way to help prevent accidents and the best way to help prevent your guns from being stolen and possibly used in a crime. A “hidden” gun is not a safely stored gun. There are a variety of safe storage options available, ranging from free gun locks provided by Project ChildSafe to full-length fireproof gun safes. Using any safe storage device will always be better than using none. For a sampling of storage options and their features, check out our infographic, Safe Storage Options for Your Lifestyle.

Theft of guns from parked vehicles has become a serious concern across the country, according to law enforcement, who add that many guns used in crimes are stolen. Law enforcement officials and other public safety officials urge gun owners to store their firearms securely when left temporarily in a vehicle by using a locking device that can be affixed to the vehicle, such as with a cable attached to the metal seat frame, to help keep guns out of the hands of criminals. The glove compartment or console of your car or truck, even if lockable, should not be considered a secure storage device, as it can be pried open too easily. If you’re looking for options, NSSF’s brochure, “Firearms Safety in Vehicles” is a great place to start.

Although preventing kids from finding unsecured guns can help prevent a tragedy in any home, keeping guns out of all the wrong hands is just as important. Unsecured firearms are easy targets for thieves and for a person with suicidal thoughts. Securely stored firearms can help save a life. For more information, check out NSSF’s “Firearms and Suicide Prevention” brochure.

Lock boxes are one of several options for safe and secure firearm storage, and they provide a solution for those who choose to keep a firearm for home security and want quick access to it while denying access to unauthorized persons, including children. Some use biometric technology to provide access without a key. More information on lock boxes and other safe storage options is available on NSSF’s “Safe Storage Options” infographic.

Secure storage is the #1 way to prevent accidents, theft and misuse. Additionally, depending on the storage system you use, it may also help prevent rust. Some higher-end gun safes include dehumidifiers, but the best defense against rust or other corrosion of the metal in your firearms is proper cleaning and lubrication and storing firearms away from sources of moisture, such as shower steam in the bathroom or damp basements. Safe storage does mean, however, that families still need to talk about safe and responsible firearm ownership.

Whether you choose to own firearms for personal or home defense, hunting, target shooting, collecting or all of these, there are safe storage options available for you. You can start by looking over all of the Safe Storage and Gun Owner resources on Project ChildSafe’s Resources page and then talking to your firearm retailer or local gun safe retailer to pick the right match for your needs.

Having regular conversations with your children about gun safety, whether you own guns or not, is important in case they encounter an unsecured gun at a friend’s house, outside or anywhere beyond your supervision. Parents talk to kids about other important issues, like drugs, alcohol and sex, and talking about firearm safety should be no different. This should be a regular conversation between parents and children. NSSF’s video “Talking to Kids about Gun Safety” covers the basics of how to talk to children of different ages. Even if you don’t have kids, this video can be a good resource to share with friends, family and neighbors who do.

Having regular conversations about firearm safety, even if you don’t own guns, will help reinforce the safety practices that can help ensure you and your family are always safely handling firearms at home, at the range and in the field and storing them safely during transportation and at home. NSSF’s “Firearms Safety in the Home” brochure and Project ChildSafe’s 10 Tips are great tools for reviewing gun safety practices.