Statistics reveal that more than 81.4 million Americans own guns.1 American gun ownership ranks as the highest in the world. While it has always been wise for gun owners to store their guns safely and responsibly, gun storage laws are becoming more stringent in many states across the country. Gun safes have historically played an important role in helping gun owners keep their firearms out of the hands of curious little children and criminals. Fireproof gun safes have also saved entire gun collections from the ravages of house fires.
Locksmiths can help safeguard your gun ensuring responsible ownership.
What size safe and level of protection do I need?
Gun safes come in many different sizes, from lock-box type safes that house single pistols to walk-in safes which house entire gun collections. Your purchase decision will be driven foremost by the number and type of firearms that you own.
After selecting the size gun safe you need, other important considerations include the level of protection the safe offers against theft, the materials that make up the safe, such as its bolting system and locks, whether it is waterproof and fireproof and the ratings on each of those elements.
An additional important feature that you may want to consider is a relocker which keeps the safe closed even if the lock is destroyed.2 As many guns are purchased for self-defense it is also important to determine how fast the gun can be removed from the safe that houses it.
What type of locking mechanism do I need?
Safes have different locking mechanisms from mechanical locks to keypad locks to biometric locks. Keypad locks and biometric locks are the easiest and quickest to open with the most reliable and durable lock being the traditional mechanical combination dial lock.3
A drawback of a dial lock is that unless you mount a light above it, opening a combination lock in the dark is extremely difficult. Another drawback of a combination lock is that owners often forget the combination. This isn’t a major issue as a professional locksmith will be able to recover your combination.
Safe Considerations
Having a lock that is certified by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL), an unbiased third-party testing agency, is also important. UL certified locks use a bolt to block the safe’s locking mechanism which offers a higher level of security than non-UL listed locks which use less expensive solenoid plungers to block the safe’s locking mechanism.4
Another consideration is how the safe is actually constructed. All safes have seams, which are weak points that thieves often exploit. The more seams a safe has, the more vulnerable the safe is to being pried apart. The best safes have two-piece construction where a single piece of steel is bent to create the safe’s top, bottom and sides and then the back is welded on. The welding technique on the seams is also an important consideration. The best technique is fully welded where the entire seam is welded shut, rather than stick-welded, where individual spots along the seam are welded to hold the exterior pieces together.5
The bolts on the door are also an important consideration when buying a safe. The more secure safes have bolts not just opposite the hinges but also on both sides as well as on the top and bottom of the door.6
Summing Up
Clearly there are a lot of aspects to consider when buying a gun safe. A professional locksmith can evaluate your particular situation and recommend products which best meet your needs. Then they can install your gun safe so that it meets all local, state and federal laws for safe firearms storage.
Locksmiths preserve the safety of your home, business, car and valuables including firearms. Action Locksmith is a business that is family owned and serves to keep Michigan residents safe by providing an array of locksmith services. Staying up to date with the latest codes and regulations as well as technology in the world of locks and security is what sets us apart in the industry. Looking to switch to keyless entry? Need your locks upgraded or a safe installed? Call us!
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1 How Many Guns are in the U.S. (2023)? 3/31/2023
Link: https://americangunfacts.com/gun-ownership-statistics/#How%20Many%20Gun%20Owners%20in%20America?
2, 6 Best Gun Safes of 2023 by Phil Bourjaily, 4/20/2023
Link: https://www.fieldandstream.com/outdoor-gear/best-gun-safes/
3 What are the Best Safe Locks by Jeff Snope, 1/21/2021
Link: https://nwsafe.com/blogs/tips/why-buy-local-vs-a-costco-gun-safe
4, 5 Why Buy Local vs a Costco Gun Safe? by Jeff Snope, 8/11/2021
Link: https://nwsafe.com/blogs/tips/why-buy-local-vs-a-costco-gun-safe