How To Select Gun Cabinets

By: Sandy Winslow

Having guns and ammunition in the home starts with a secure and safe way to keep children and others away from guns, but also allow you to have easy access. This combination of safety and access is critical, even if you don't have kids. After all, you definitely do not want your guns stolen or removed from your home without your knowledge or permission. Gun cabinets that are stylish, suit your décor but also provide just the security you need are an excellent consideration to prevent these types of potential problems.

One of the first considerations when looking at gun cabinets is the actual size of the cabinet itself with regards to external dimensions. Of course, the number of weapons it needs to hold will have a significant bearing on the exterior measurements. Many standard sizes of cabinets hold between four and eight guns, however there are larger and smaller cabinets on the market. Most also tend to range in height to more than 55 inches, with the width and depth varying, based on the number of guns it is built to hold. If you are someone that has a larger gun collection having multiple cabinets or gun safes may be a better option than placing all your weapons in one. This allows for easier access to each weapon and less chance of scratching or damage when the guns are put in and removed from the cabinet if used on a regular basis.

Another critical consideration is the legal requirements of gun storage in your local area. In some states there is no specific legal requirement for gun storage while in other states the legal code is very specific about the design and type of gun cabinets that are considered to be legal. Different states, such as California, have comprehensive gun storage laws and verifying that the cabinet meets these laws is very important to stay within legal storage requirements. The gun cabinet should clearly indicate on the manufacturer's documentation and warranty that it meets given legal requirements and which states, countries or areas it is approved for.

Fire resistance may be an important factor to consider when selecting these cabinets. For most homeowners having their gun safe protected from fire is a good way to protect their investment, particularly if they have specialized or collector types of weapons that would be costly or impossible to replace. Since many guns are family heirlooms, ensuring that the cabinet is fire resistant really does make a huge difference.

The type of security hardware used on these cabinets also varies from model to model and manufacturer to manufacturer. Some use a key lock, typically with a high security type of key that is unique to your specific gun storage cabinet. Keyed locks are very secure, particularly when combined with locking door bolts and recessed doors that are tamper-resistant and cannot be forced open. Other options for securing the door include combination styles of locks. These locks are very secure, plus they allow several individuals to have access to the gun cabinet without needed to have multiple keys. Electronic locks are a relatively new addition to the security features and are also highly secure and good for multiple individuals at the same time.

The exteriors of gun cabinets come in a wide variety of colors, from very functional looking green to tan colors through to stylish black and wood tone colors. Hardware on the cabinets can also be gold, brass or chrome, perfect for blending into your room and matching with your current color scheme.

Article Source: http://home2garden.co.za

About The Author
Sandy Winslow is a writer on many topics, including guns and gun safety. Choosing the right gun cabinets for your home will allow you to keep your guns and ammo safe and secure but still accessible