The intent to secure firearms in a pistol safe is to protect them from unauthorized owners, burglars, and kids at home, and protect everyone from mishaps.
When we keep them in a pistol safe and haven’t checked for a long time, it sometimes gets corroded, damaged, or scratched.
To protect your weapon from such damage, you must follow these easy 8 steps while storing handguns.
8 Tips to Help You Be a Responsible Gun Owner
1. Always Unload Your Handgun First
First things first. When you are going to store your handgun, first unload it. Make sure to remove the magazine and confirm it by double-checking the chamber. As a responsible firearm owner, you must understand that an unloaded handgun is always safer, especially when you have children or guests at home. If you ever want to keep it loaded, only do it in case you need it for self-defense and want to access your firearm quickly.
2. Store Your Guns Clean:
The second step is to make conscious planning about storing them. When you store your firearms without proper cleansing, there is a high chance that they will attract moisture, rust, and deteriorate. To avoid this, you must clean your firearms thoroughly inside and out. Copper, lead, and even plastic can attract moisture. Make it dry and then store it. Clean out the inside of the barrel as well. Put a thin layer of oil on all the metal parts to protect them from rust. For wooden items, use some wax on both the inside and outside. This helps keep the wood from swelling or cracking over time.
3. Control Humidity with a Dehumidifier
The next step should be taken to control the moisture. As a firearm owner, you should know that moisture can cause rust and long-term damage to your weapon. As you have thoroughly dried it in the second step by cleaning it, but to avoid further moisture, you need to place a silica gel pack or mini dehumidifier inside the safe to keep your handgun in excellent working condition.
4. More space means less damage
Now, the next thing is how much space your firearms require. Remember that when your safe is compact, there are more chances that your handguns are stacking too closely, which can cause scratches, dents, and even accidental damage. To prevent such situations, make sure to give each firearm enough space to help you keep your collection safe, clean, and well-preserved.
5. Use a Pistol Rack or Holster Inside the Safe
Now that you have enough space to keep your weapons, the next step is to avoid tossing your pistols loosely in the safe. To manage this, use a foam or pistol rack to keep them away from each other and scratch-free. It will also help you organise your weapons and provide easy and fast access whenever needed.
6. Keep Ammo Stored Separately
Consider storing your ammunition separately in a locked container for more safety. This is a wise step if you take it for extra safety. This step will definitely help reduce the risk of accidental discharge and protect you from any mishaps.
7. Make Locking Your Safe a Habit
This thing is most important and necessary for gun owners. As a responsible handgun owner, make a habit that, no matter how short the time, always lock the safe after use. Don’t leave it open “just for a minute.” A little negligence can cause big accidents. Make “locking it” a habit to avoid the unimaginable incidents..
8. Limit Access to Trusted Users
The last step is to make a rule to share your safe’s access code, key, and fingerprint only with people you completely trust. Taking a step to limit access can reduce the chance of unauthorized use, especially in homes with kids or roommates.
Closing Thoughts
I have carefully curated this guide through several days of thorough research and personal experience to help you store your weapons responsibly. Properly storing your handgun is an essential step toward being a smart and responsible gun owner. With the right safe, some affordable accessories, and these easy-to-follow tips, you will not only keep your firearm secure but also enhance the safety of everyone around you.
