Safe Gun Storage

When you are not using your firearm, you should insure that it is store safely. Affirmative measures designed to prevent unauthorized access to a defensive firearm by minors, or firearm theft, include:

1. Use of a simplex-type locking box for securing firearms which need to be kept loaded yet available for ready-access defensive use, and

2. Use of trigger locks or padlocks to secure firearms which don't need to be kept immediately available for defensive use.

Also note that:

1. Gun security devices which rely solely on physical strength to secure firearms from unauthorized use are generally undesirable since ingenious children can potentially employ leverage or tools to overcome those devices.

2. "Hiding" a firearm won't secure it from discovery and possible misuse by curious children or intruders.

3. Metal gun cabinets or gun safes can be used to safeguard firearms from unauthorized access or theft in many circumstances and metal gun cabinets or gun safes are generally preferable to open racks or glass-front cabinets.

4. Firearms should be stored unloaded and separate from ammunition when the firearm isn't needed for ready-access defensive use.

5. You may want to store critical components of a firearm (such as the gun's bolt or slide) separately from the rest of the firearm when the gun won't be used in the immediate future.

6. Consider engraving your firearms with your social security number, driver's license number, or concealed firearms license number to deter theft and facilitate return of stolen firearms which may happen to be recovered.

7. Explore "gun-proofing" your child by proper training, and by controlled and closely supervised access to firearms to reduce your child's natural unsatisfied curiosity about firearms.

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