4 Questions You Should Ask Yourself BEFORE Buying Your First Firearm: Part 4 “How and where should I store my new firearm?”

So, you have decided on what type of firearm you will need based on the questions covered in Part 1, you have gotten yourself trained as instructed in Part 2, and, as per the advice in Part 3, all the family members in your household are educated in firearms safety, the final thing you will want to consider is how and where you should store your new firearm.​
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Storage Solution 1: Locked Up Tight & Hidden Away:
If out of sight, out of mind is going to be the motto when it comes to firearms stored in your home then you will want to invest in a good safe.  Whether it be a full size gun safe, or just a lock box that only you can access, there are many options available in this department.  Let’s review just a few:

Canon Large Gun Safe available at Tractor Supply Company

Large Gun Safe:
In our home we have a Liberty 30 gun safe and 42 gun safe. We absolutely love the security of knowing our firearms investments are safe from burglars, fire, water damage, etc.  We also like knowing that when young nieces and nephews come over there is no way they can access any of our firearms without our presence and supervision.  Large gun safes are a great option if you plan on expanding your firearms collection over time.  The only problem is you run the risk of feeling the constant need to fill that safe to the brim with fabulous, functional, and fun firearms, all of which you just have to have - it was a risk my husband was willing to take and one he fulfilled, thus the two gun safes housing over 70 firearms.  If you would like one of these you can get some great deals at places like Tractor Supply, Cabela’s, and even Home Depot.  One thing I will say about the large gun safes is, unless you have a shop/garage/basement to store them in, they tend to be a bit obtrusive, a total eyesore, and difficult to match to any room decor except barracks chic! Our friends over at Locksmith Sarasota have some additional information that you may find helpful when selecting a safe, head on over to their blog for some really valuable advice for selecting a gun safe: ​Locksmith Sarasota: How to Choose a Truly Safe Gun Safe.

Small/Portable Gun Safe:
Small gun safes, similar to the safes you find in hotel room closets offer a great option for those folks who plan on only having one or two handguns and want them stored securely in a place that is out of sight from everyone - this solves the obtrusive eyesore problem - and yet can still be easily accessible.  Many of these safes offer the same protection features as the large safes such as fire and water protection, but it is possible for an intruder to steal the safe and all its contents - if they can find it - which, let's face it, is not very likely to happen with a large gun safe. We offer some great options for small/portable safes on our online store and invite you to browse our selection to see what choices are available.

Small Safe Available at Oh, Shoot Gun Shop

Flag Case w/Concealment Compartment available at Oh, Shoot Gun Shop

Faux Book Firearm Concealment Case available at Oh, Shoot Gun Shop

Storage Solution 2: Hidden in Plain Sight
Have you ever dreamed of having a mansion with secret rooms and passages where you tap a book on the shelf and the entire bookshelf slides to the side and reveals a secret room?  Well, unless you own a mansion, that option probably isn't really feasible, but you can have a super-cool stealth place to store your firearm that not many would suspect.  On our shop site we offer “hidden in plain sight” or diversion options including flag cases and faux books that conveniently hide your firearm within an attractive display item that has little to do with its contents. If you select this option we advise that you also lock your firearm using a trigger or cable lock (if you purchased your firearm new, one would have come with it, if your gun is used there are tons of aftermarket options - check some of them out on our shop site).

Storage Solution 3: Trigger/Cable Locked in Original or Aftermarket Case
This is by far the most convenient solution, and the most affordable, but it does say to everyone in the home, and any potential intruders “I have a firearm inside, come and check me out.”  Obviously we suggest that if you are using this method you make certain to have the firearm inside the case locked for the protection of your family and any guests that may visit your home.  If you purchase a handgun that is new you will usually receive a case with it, if you purchase a new-to-you handgun, rifle, or shotgun you may not be so lucky, but not to worry, there are many case solutions available to you. We have a huge selection cases, whether you are looking for hard cases or soft cases, the options are endless.

Pelican Long Gun Case available at Oh, Shoot Gun Shop

Drago Gear Tactical Gun Case available at Oh, Shoot Gun Shop

Choosing the right firearm storage solution for you all comes down to budget, preference, and convenience. Take time to talk with your local shop owner, share your needs and plans for the firearm with them so they can advise you on your best options. Having the right storage solution is imperative to you fulfilling your responsibility as a gun owner.  Remember, you, the gun owner, are ultimately liable for whatever happens with your firearm. Be diligent in storing your new firearm and you will never have a problem. We are always available to answer questions as well; either leave post a comment/question in the comments box below, give the shop a call at 575.485.0074, or shoot us an email at ohshootgunshop@gmail.com.

When participating in any type of shooting sports always remember the acronym T.A.S.K.:
T: Training
A: Attention to your Surroundings
S: Safety First
K: Know your Target