Weapon Security and Protection With Gun Safes

By: Sandy Winslow

Anyone that owns firearms for sport, hunting or personal protection needs to be concerned about the safe storage of the weapon. While you may be very familiar with how to correctly and safely handle a gun it is very likely that visitors, family members and friends may not. Keeping your weapons out of sight and away from children is an important part of being a responsible gun owner. Gun safes are a perfect option both for securing the weapons and also for keeping your guns safe in a variety of situations.

Gun safes are designed to prevent harm to the guns contained within. This is accomplished with several different features. The first is the interior construction or design of the safe. Upholstered interiors provide a soft lining for the safe that helps keep your guns in top condition, preventing the metal or wood of the gun from becoming scratched or scuffed going into and out of the safe. Most of the high quality safes will also have several areas or compartments as well as shelves and cubicles within the safe. Taller areas with rests are perfect for storing rifles, shotguns and long barrel guns while the shelves and cubicles are ideal for handguns and supplies. Keep in mind that not all gun supplies should be kept together in the safe for personal safety. Gunpowder should not be stored in a gun cabinet, especially with primers, as this can lead to risk of detonation and explosion under certain conditions.

Gun safes also have several features that protect your weapons from typical damage that may be seen in fire, theft or water damage situations. Fire damage is minimized with a high quality safe that is rated for both high temperatures and fairly lengthy exposure to heat. Many safes are rated for up to four hours of extreme heat exposure, while others may be rated for one hour or less. Choosing the location of your gun safe with relation to the exterior of the home will provide better safety for your guns in the event of a house fire than a safe that is located in an interior room or location.

Fire ratings for gun safes are actually a three-prong type of test. They include exposure to heat and fire, an explosion on hazard test and a fire impact test, providing very accurate information as to how the safe will hold up. Run by specific standards, these tests translate to a rating scale that allows you, as the buyer, to choose the construction options you need to keep your gun collection safe.

Finally, the specific type of lock and hardware used on the safe also enhances security and protection in safes. There are a variety of locks from standard combination styles to combination with locking features. Digital types of locks are also a great option since they are quick to open and allow easy access to the safe for anyone with the digital code. Keyed locks are not as common on safes but can be installed on specific types of models.

The hinges and door design of gun safes also contributes to the safety and security of the weapons stored in the safe. The hinges are typically recessed and the doors are designed to be tamper resistant, ensuring that thieves cannot easily access your guns. As a security feature this is typically standard, but it is well worth researching and checking out on the safe or gun cabinets that you may be considering.

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

About The Author
Sandy Winslow writes on a wide-variety of gun topics, including safety. Owning guns carries a responsibility for security and safety that gun safes can easily provide.