Do you let a five year-old play with your circular saw? Do you leave your tools out to rust? Of course not! Guns are valuable tools.
Gun storage requires a safe location where moisture, acids and bases are minimized.
Most gun owners practice gun safety when it comes to handling them, such as: • Pointing guns in a safe direction • Keeping fingers off the trigger until you want to shoot • Keeping the gun unloaded until ready for use.
• Recognizing your target and background • Maintaining the gun properly How can these rules of firearm safety apply to creating safe firearm storage conditions? First, acknowledge that you own guns for different purposes: hunting, target shooting, skeet and trap, and certainly home defense.
The storage requirements differ for each application.
Sporting firearms, particularly hunting or other seasonal weapons, need long-term storage.
Home defense weapons need to be readily accessible.
Both require safe storage away from small children or friends who act like small children.
Some weapons have safety features built into the weapon, such as fingerprint technology and grip-pressure safeties.
But, safe firearm storage is the responsibility of the owner.
What can handling safety suggest as good storage techniques? Pointing firearms in a safe direction.
Find or create a safe storage area inaccessible to unauthorized users.
Gun safes, alarmed closets, or at least locked gun cases deter kids and strangers from accessing your guns.
Keeping fingers off the trigger until you want to shoot.
For seasonal weapons, shotguns, or rifles, dismantling the gun keeps it pretty safe.
For pistols, or guns at the ready, trigger locks are a good alternative.
Keeping the weapons unloaded until ready for use.
Storing the weapons and ammunition in two locations makes sense for seasonally used guns.
Ammunition can be kept extra dry and out of reach using a small safe.
For home defense, keep the two closer together for quick response or use a trigger guard.
Recognizing your target and background.
Recognize the potential for misuse.
Kids in the house? Neighbors coming through a lot? Different service people or workers? People are attracted to guns and many believe they know how to use them.
Think of where and how to store guns as to not be an attractive nuisance.
Gun safes have locks - use them.
Think about the background in your neighborhood.
Select a gun or ammunition which will not penetrate your neighbors' walls.
Maintaining the gun properly.
Always clean your gun after every use, and always prior to storage.
Find two dry, chemical-free spaces in which to store your ammunition and guns separately.
If you keep a gun out, like on a nightstand, clean it each time you put it back in its day storage location.
In order to work properly, every time, guns must be stored only after proper maintenance.
Safe gun storage, like gun safety, is largely a common sense application.
Remember to be vigilant.
Responsible gun ownership means taking the time to store and use guns properly.
It's part of the Second Amendment of the Constitution - it is important and worth defending.