What are the safest ways to store guns?
Asked by: Prof. Loma Brakus | Last update: February 10, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (30 votes)
The safest ways to store guns involve a combination of security, inaccessibility to unauthorized individuals, and proper maintenance. The primary guidelines are to store firearms unloaded, locked, and with ammunition stored separately.
What is the most secure way to store guns?
Safe Gun Storage
- If you own a gun, keep it locked up, unloaded, and out of reach of children.
- Store your ammunition separately and keep your ammunition locked up, too.
- Invest in a trigger lock for your gun.
Is it better to store guns vertically or horizontally?
For long guns, storing them horizontally or vertically with the muzzle pointing down is generally recommended to keep gun oil from pooling in the action or softening wooden stocks, while vertical storage (muzzle up) can be efficient but risks oil seeping into the wood; prioritize a locked, dry location separate from ammo regardless of orientation. Horizontal storage spreads weight better for wood stocks, but vertical storage can save space and prevent barrel droop if supported properly.
Where to store gun safe in house?
The best place for a gun safe balances quick access with discretion and security, with popular spots being a closet, basement, or home office, away from obvious areas and windows, ideally anchored to a concrete floor for stability and in a climate-controlled environment to prevent moisture damage. Avoid placing it in garages due to temperature/humidity, but if you must, ensure it's well secured and climate controlled.
Should guns be stored barrel up or down?
Storing a long gun muzzle down helps keep excess oil out of the action, and away from the stock. The most logical solution to the oil-soaking problem is to avoid over-oiling your firearms in the first place, and using dry-film corrosion protectants that won't wick into your actions and stocks.
Storing Your Guns - OpticsPlanet.com Gun Safe Guide Part 9
Will guns rust in a storage unit?
Unless you have an airtight, humidity-and-temperature-controlled firearms storage unit, there's always a possibility your firearm will be vulnerable to corrosion – no matter how meticulous you are with cleaning.
Where to store guns if you don't have a safe?
Instead of simply throwing a gun in a drawer or closet, choose a lockable carry case that can keep it safe and out of reach. While there are a few other ways to store guns without a safe, such as strong boxes, security cases and locking steel gun cabinets, we believe a gun case is the best option.
Where do people keep guns in their house?
A guest room or secondary bedroom with a locking door is a great choice. You should have a Fast Box or Agile cabinet secured in this room. However, in the case of home invasion, no matter where you are in the house you should always be within a few seconds of accessing your firearms.
Where not to put a gun safe?
Don't store a gun safe in easily visible spots, the garage (due to moisture/theft risk), the kitchen, or damp basements prone to flooding; instead, pick a hidden, climate-controlled location like an interior closet, anchor it securely, and keep it away from fire hazards and extreme temperatures to protect firearms from rust, theft, and environmental damage.
What is rule #1 of gun safety?
The first rule of gun safety is to always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, meaning never point a gun at anything you are not willing to destroy, and be aware of where it's pointing at all times, even if you think it's unloaded. This fundamental rule ensures that even in an accidental discharge, no injury or damage occurs because the gun is directed towards a safe area, like a backstop.
Should I keep a gun in my bedroom?
First, you want to ensure you can access your firearms easily while keeping them away from children and intruders. An out-of-the-way location is best. Many homeowners choose the primary bedroom, closet or dedicated gun room.
Will guns rust in a basement?
With these conditions in mind, it's important to avoid keeping your firearms in any wet or even damp locales — the garage, the basement, the bathroom, the shed and the camper are all off-limits.
What is a way to keep a firearm safe when not in storage?
Always make absolutely sure that firearms in your home are securely stored out of the reach of children and other unauthorized persons. Unloaded firearms can be secured with a firearm locking device to make them inoperable. Unloaded firearms also can be stored in a locked cabinet, safe, firearm vault or storage case.
Where not to put a safe in your house?
Don't place it in your bedroom as this is the first place a burglar will look. Be sure to effectively secure your safe by bolting it to a wall or floor. For more information on safes, see Secured by Design . If you have a large amount of family gold or jewellery, you may want to consider using a safety deposit vault.
Should gun safes be in bedroom or garage?
Tip #1: Convenience is Key
For example; a safe used to secure jewelry in between wears can be placed in a master bedroom, bathroom, or closet. Safes that protect guns and hobby collections can be placed in the garage, office, spare bedroom, closet, or even in a family room provided it's inaccessible to children.
Are Fort Knox safes easy to break into?
Strength and reliability are two words that best describe the Fort Knox personal pistol safe (hand gun safe). With a thick 10-gauge steel body and a 3/16" wrap-around door, this safe is not only practically impossible to break open but it would be insanely difficult to even dent this handgun safe.
Where are burglars least likely to look?
A good place to hide valuables could be the entrance area, for example, as it is often overlooked. An unused fireplace can also be used as a hiding place: simply remove the cover, place valuables inside and then close it again. It is unlikely that a thief will look there.
Where do most people keep their gun safes?
Most people put their gun safes in discreet, secure locations within their homes, favoring places like a closet, basement, master bedroom, or office, often hidden behind clutter or in less-trafficked areas for security, while ensuring easy access for emergencies. Key considerations are accessibility vs. stealth, anchoring it properly (often to the floor/wall), and protecting against moisture, with popular spots balancing quick access with concealment.
What is the golden rule of gun safety?
ALWAYS Keep The Gun Pointed In A Safe Direction
This is the primary rule of gun safety.
What is the freest gun state?
There isn't one single "freest" gun state, as rankings vary, but New Hampshire, West Virginia, Arkansas, Montana, and South Dakota are consistently ranked among the most gun-friendly due to permissive laws like constitutional/permitless carry, strong self-defense protections (Stand Your Ground), and lack of sales tax on firearms. Other states often cited for lenient laws include Arizona, Wyoming, Alaska, Utah, and Mississippi, though some recent political shifts in states like Arizona have impacted their rankings.
What are the best practices for gun storage?
When not in use, firearms should be stored locked + unloaded, ammunition should be stored separately (preferably locked up), and key/lock combinations should be inaccessible to children, adolescents, & those at elevated risk of harm to self or others.
Is it safer to have a gun in your house?
Firearms are now the leading cause of death for U.S. children and teens under the age of 18. And the reality is that having firearms in the home increases the risk of unintentional shootings, suicide and homicide.
Where is the best place to store guns?
Commonly recommended spots include: Basements: Basements offer a discreet location and can be less accessible to burglars. Ensure the area is dry and free from moisture. Closets: A large closet can be an excellent place for a gun safe, especially if it's in a less frequented part of the house.
Should I keep a loaded gun in my house?
Whenever children could be around, whether your own, or a friend's, relative's or neighbor's, additional safety steps should be taken when storing firearms and ammunition in your home. Always store your firearm unloaded.
Is it illegal to store guns in a storage unit?
You can sometimes store guns in a storage unit, but most standard facilities prohibit them due to liability and theft risks, while some facilities specifically allow them with strict rules (unloaded, locked, no ammo); you must always check your specific facility's contract, local laws, and consider specialized gun storage or local law enforcement/retailers for safe, legal storage options. Storing firearms in a regular unit against policy can lead to fines or eviction, as many facilities ban ammunition entirely.