The Importance of a Gun Safe
As we have seen in many states across the nation. Laws are forcing gun owners to lock up their guns. Having a gun safe is almost mandatory with gun ownership. Even in states that don’t require gun safes, it is used against them. Many States are holding gun owners responsible for what their guns are used for. For example, if someone gets ahold of your gun and shoots someone you can be charged.
That is especially true in cases where the gun was not locked up. By having it locked up, it shows that you went to great lengths to prevent something illegal from happening. This is only one of the reasons why gun safes are important. Gun safes can also delay an owner from getting to their gun in a time of need.
Often we overlook safety for security. If we can’t get to a gun how is it going to protect us? On this flip side of that. If the gun is not locked up how can we prevent the bad guy from reaching it first? For example, a burglar breaks in and see’s the gun sitting there. He now has access to a weapon, that he didn’t before. Now we inadvertently gave the guy who intends to do us harm a better weapon than he brought with him.
Who are you trying to protect
If you have children in the home they might check out the gun when no one is looking. They may also want to show their friends, who are not familiar with the safety rules. The very people you are trying to protect with a gun, are now in danger of using it.
Trigger locks can prevent a lot of the problems associated with the dangers of guns. Then of course you need to have quick access to your keys if something happens. If you are the only one that lives in the home. You need to ask yourself, can you get to it before the bad guy. What if you are in the shower? Or sound asleep and don’t wake up until they are standing next to you? Where do you store it while sleeping, or when you are away from the home? Would a family member have access to it when they were at their lowest?
Waking up and seeing a home invader holding your gun, is not going to help you. Nor is finding out your gun is missing and was used in a crime. Many prosecutors will find away to charge you with something. Imagine if your bullied niece or nephew got their hands on it. Teenagers believe everything last for life when it comes to shame. Could you live with what happened, and could you face your brother or sister again?
Steps to reach your gun
If you do have a gun safe, you still have to factor in whether will be able to use it. How far away are you from the gun safe? What are the steps you need to do to open it? Are you allowed to store it loaded in your state? Who all in the house needs access to the gun? The most important part after safety is can you get to it in time? Only you can answer those questions. I can show you some solutions that other gun owners are doing.
Can you get to your gun before a criminal? Are you able to access ammo should you run out or the gun isn’t loaded? Do you have a home defense plan? Do you have a way out of your home if you can’t reach the gun? Can you reach the gun and protect your kids at the same time?
I can tell you where I am sitting right now, If my front door was kicked in I could not reach my gun. Which is rare because my gun is almost always on me. Criminals are not going to give you time. They are not going to think as you do. They are there to harm you and will do everything they can to prevent you from defending yourself. Instead they are looking for victims who will do what they want.
The most popular gun safes
Some gun owners are choosing to use portable safes over the traditional vault type safes. The reason for this is, these type safes are easy to hide, mountable, and have a security cable you can use while traveling. They are a lot more versatile than the traditional safes we have used for years. Along with the fact that they now have multiple ways to open them as well. For example, most safes can be opened using a key. Today’s safes also open with keypads, RFID cards or fobs, and some even use biometrics such as a fingerprint.
In cases where your ammo has to be stored separately. As a result, firearm owners need to find creative ways to keep ammo close by. The legal aspect is where ammo storage gets tricky. If someone gains access to your gun and ammo, you could find yourself in legal trouble. This is one place a safe can make a difference. If the gun is locked up, then there is no chance for the ammo to end up in the gun. The problem then becomes if someone can access your ammo, they now have a small explosive.
Biometric safes are quickly becoming the top choice for quick access. That is not to say RFID, digital, or keyed safes won’t work. No matter how you store your firearm. You will need to train to get to it in an emergency. If you just keep it somewhere and never practice getting to it, it may not be possible later. For example, you could forget the code, not remember where the keys are, or simply be unable to think clearly under stress.
Gun safes and our options
I found a few biometric options on Amazon & Brownells that may fit your budget and needs. Keep in mind right now these safes are going for a lot more than they were 3 months ago. It may be a better choice to select a cheaper RFID, digital or keyed safe and wait for the prices to come back down.
Brownells RFID gun safe
Manufacturer: Hornady
Price: $714.99 
Manufacturer: Identilock
Price: $239.0
The two RPNB safes both come in either biometric or RFID. Then of course you have the traditional vault that you can now open with an RFID FOB. After that there is the identilock biometric trigger lock. Finally, a combination of both RFID and Biometrics in one safe.
All of these safes will do their job as long as you understand their downsides. For example the Identilock will keep someone from gaining access and firing your firearm. However, give anyone enough time with it and it is likely the will be able to gain access. Meaning I wouldn’t leave it home alone with your child and their friends all day. Just like I wouldn’t trust a thin security cable to keep out a seasoned burglar.
Only you can determine what works best in your circumstance. You also have to think about things like will that biometric lock work when your hands are sweaty and shaky? Will you be able to find or reach a RFID key card or FOB when you hear the door kicked in? Do you use that 4-8 digit code enough that you can enter it on your safe during high stress? Can you keep your keys where only you have access but close enough access when you need it? The importance of a safe is clear. Along with the importance of being able to defend your family in a time of need.
Other Dangers
Not having a gun safe could mean your gun is easily stolen. It could also mean that someone will gain access to it and use it against you. Gun safe are important if you have family members who would use it for any reason unintended. Death by suicide is much higher among homes that have a gun. As well as accidents are more likely to happen if you don’t have the training to go with owning a gun.
I prefer to keep my gun on me from the time I wake up until I go to bed. Our safe is only used to keep everyone safe while I am asleep. If you have no training, it is likely you won’t be able to use your gun safely when the time arises. Equally as important is practicing to get to your firearm when you need it. There are other things you can do to slow down a home invader as well.
Practicing accessing your gun is the key to successfully defending your home. Any gun safe will work as long as someone can’t easily gain access to it. The key to success is training, quick access, and the ability to use it. Often we will pick a safe based on budget, which is fine. As long as it fits your needs and ability. Other things you can do is change out the kick plate on your locks and use 3 inch screws to hold them in place. This will force a home invader to take more time to gain entry. Which will allow you more time to call 911, gain access to your firearm, and barricade your family in a room for safety. Notice I didn’t say to go after the attacker.
Conclusion
Not everyone will be comfortable trusting biometric in a panic. Some won’t remember the code in a panic. Others won’t trust being able to use their key in a panic. You have to determine what works best for you. Then store it close so you can get to it. Don’t be afraid to have more than one in case you need it in a different room. For example, some families train to meet in a specific room in an emergency. As a result, they have a home defense plan, and practice it. So, that everyone knows their job and how to respond.
Having a gun safe in a secure room could be the solution. Some people store full magazines around their homes so they can get to ammo as needed. Gun safes are part of the home defense plan. Choosing their location and who will have access is crucial in any home defense situation.
One final note, most firearm owners with children educate their children about firearm safety. The trust is earned and well deserved in a lot of those cases. The problem is not what your child will do, it is more what would their friends do. It could even be what would your cousins, brother, sister, nieces, nephews, or even senile parent do if they found your firearm. It is for those reason that a gun safe is so important, and lets not for get the guy that just came in with a knife who now has upgraded to a gun.
Please check out some of our other articles on gun safety and training at rgdreviews.
