Long-term, Secure, Gun Storage Solutions

Aaron Spuler is a firearms enthusiast and recreational shooter. Follow more or his work at The Weapon Blog

Maintaining your gun collection is a serious and long-term business. Not only should the storage solution ensure your guns are kept in the best possible condition, and be readily accessible in times of emergency, safety is a primary concern, and that means the safety of those who reside in the household, namely children. Here are some practical solutions for long-term gun storage:

Prepare the gun before storage

It is a mistake to lock your gun away with prior consideration and preparation of the event. Pre-treatment is essential, and this should involve breaking apart the gun as much as is possible (always taking into account accessibility concerns), removing any corrosive substances from the gun by cleaning thoroughly (and this includes removing fingerprints which contain harmful bodily oils) and crucially, waxing the inside of the stock. And keep your gun de-cocked too to prevent over-tension.

In fact, the condition of the gun at the point of storage will pretty much tell you what the condition will be when it is unlocked later on down the line, meaning one that goes in dirty will come out significantly worse. It’s a classic mistake, but one to be avoided at all costs. “In a worst-case scenario, the gun might not even work anymore, which could leave you in a bad situation,” warns Brett Strang, a writer at Brit student and Australia 2 write.

Prepare the storage space

And don’t forget the storage space too. The area needs to be clean, and in some cases the use of a dehumidifier can be useful to remove all excess moisture from the air, preventing rusting. Gun vaults and gun safes are still the best options as storage spaces, both for the upkeep and security of your gun, but these are increasingly being used in conjunction with new technology on the market. And certainly don’t use a poor sleeve or box solution to actually place the gun inside before it goes into the storage space, as this can dramatically increase the speed of any deterioration. Sheepskin or the original cardboard box the gun arrives in are particularly poor options as they maintain the presence of moisture, when is a significant risk to your weapon.

Use technology

Biometrics is the buzzword in weaponry circles. Previously this was futuristic technology that was only utilized by the military, airports and other high-security locations, but not any longer. Biometric technology is now increasingly available in the home, and creates an incredible level of user-authentication accuracy. Gun locks are increasingly being designed with biometric technology at their core, and this marks an impressive upgrade in domestic gun security.

Furthermore, with regards to actual storage, the American military utilizes Intercept Technology, which is designed to maintain firearms in a safe, static environment. Not only is it cutting-edge technology, it can be used in conjunction with your existing equipment to establish a secure and protective environment for your weaponry. Intercept Technology is basically an array of sleeves or bags which are able to protect the weapon from the corrosive elements in the surrounding environment, and keeps those items stored inside in optimal condition.

“This is state-of-the-art technology which was previously only found in military circles. The fact that is has now reached ordinary consumers is good news in the up-keep of weapons,” states Grant Tennison, a blogger at Writemyx and Next coursework.

It’s not just about the safe

Many gun keepers could be guilty of thinking that their gun safe is their primary, and only security and storage concern when it comes to maintaining a firearm, but this is not the case. Although traditional gun safes are still incredibly useful, they increasingly need to be used in conjunction with the new technology on the market to ensure the best possible solution.

Use a schedule

Guns need to be used semi-regularly and maintained, in many ways akin to a motor vehicle. For that reason, it’s just smart to utilize a schedule by which you ensure your guns gets a regular workout to maintain working-efficiency, and is maintained and cleaned to prevent deterioration of the equipment. For security purposes too, a regular systems of checks is also highly advisable.

By following these simple steps, and utilizing the newest technology wherever possible, the safe, secure and efficient long-term upkeep of your weapon is achievable.

Katrina Hatchett is a lifestyle blogger at Academic Brits with a particular interesting in the art of communication. She is a regular writing contributor at Origin Writings, as well as a blogger at PhDKingdom.