Hobbies And Interests
Function
Proper gun storage will play a vital role in preventing the gun from accidentally going off while in the wrong hands. Children are very curious about firearms and will play with a gun and show it off to their friends if they know where it is. A locked gun safe or other secure storage container will prevent a gun from falling into the wrong hands and guard against the theft of your firearms, which may be used in a crime in the future.
Facts
You are 43 times more likely to be shot or accidentally killed by a gun in your home than by an intruder, according to the SafetyED website. More than 50 percent of Americans have a firearm in the household. Proper gun storage is mandatory if you have a gun.
Types
You can purchase fireproof gun safes with a combination lock. Less expensive models are not fireproof and you must have a key to open them. You do not have to have a large, bulky safe that houses many guns; some people only own one pistol for protection. A wall safe is a secure place to keep just one or two guns and it is handy to keep your other valuables, such as jewelry, cash or important papers. This type of safe can be hidden behind a wall picture, mirror or a painting. Smaller portable safes are not recommended unless they are bolted to the floor. Lightweight safes can be easily carried out of the home by a burglar and the gun can be used in a crime scene later. Often, you only need an axe or a bolt cutter open such safes.
Prevention
Children see gun use depicted every day on TV, video games, movies and computer games. It is hard for them to grasp how playing with a gun that they unwittingly encounter can do any real harm. It is vital that you keep your gun locked for this reason. Even if you don't have small children of your own, most people do have unexpected guests who bring youngsters along and they could easily wander off and find an improperly stored firearm. Tell your children and any you are close to that if they see a gun, they should stop, not touch it, leave the area and tell an adult, according to the Kids Health website.
Warning
You can get a false sense of security if a gun is in the top of a closet or behind a closed door. Instead, get a safe and keep it locked and keep the key with you at all times. Putting your gun in a proper storage safe or cabinet is only effective if you correctly lock the cabinet with a key or by securing a combination lock.