How to Store Guns Safely to Prevent Unintentional Shootings

A person is killed or injured almost everyday in the U.S. because a child unintentionally fired a gun, according to reports from 2015 to 2022 compiled by Everytown, a gun safety advocacy group.

These incidents are almost entirely preventable if firearms are stored securely — meaning unloaded and locked, with ammunition stored separately in a locked container, experts say.

There is broad agreement that gun owners should take these steps. It’s a rare consensus amid the highly polarized debate over guns in America, shared by the largest arms industry groupleading gun control advocates, the White House and many security experts.

Safely storing firearms helps prevent children and people who could harm themselves or others from having easy access to loaded firearms, reducing the chance of unintentional discharges, as well as suicide and theft.

But many gun owners don’t keep their guns locked and unloaded, according to recent researches, in part because they want them readily available to defend themselves and their families. Experts recognize that safeties can delay access to loaded weapons, although the delay is usually brief; Quick-access security devices, such as biometric gun safes, can be opened in a matter of seconds.

Above all, safe storage experts warn gun owners against simply hiding them in closets, drawers or under the mattress, since children are naturally inclined to explore and find them. researches I found that many parents mistakenly believe that their children do not know where their firearms are stored at home.

Twenty-six states and Washington, D.C., have safe storage laws that punish gun owners if a child has access to an unsecured firearm. These laws have drawn support from gun safety and security advocates. US Surgeon Generalbut they face opposition from gun rights groups, who argue that people should be free to decide when and how to secure their guns.

Here are the most common secure storage methods recommended by experts:

Gun safes

Gun safes They are one of the safest storage methods. They come in various sizes and are usually unlocked with a key or combination, which must be stored separately. There are also newer biometric safes that can be opened instantly with a fingerprint, which may appeal to gun owners who want quick access to their weapons.

Gun safes tend to be larger, heavier, and more expensive than other types of storage devices. The cost of safes varies greatly, starting at around $70, and larger versions can hold multiple weapons.

Lock Boxes

Lock Boxes can be used to store firearms, secured with key, combination or biometric access. They are generally smaller and have thinner walls and are less secure than safes. They are also more portable and cheaper, costing around $30.

Cable locks

One of the cheapest security devices is a cable gun lock, which is threaded into the gun and secured with a padlock at the bottom. The design generally requires the weapon to be unloaded for the lock to be used.

Cable locks are included in firearms shipped by manufacturers, according to the NSSF, the largest industry group representing firearms manufacturers. They are also distributed free of charge by law enforcement agencies, the NSSF, and other groups, or can be purchased for as little as $6. However, similar to cable bicycle locks, they can be undone using pliers or other tools.

As a result, both weapons manufacturers It is security defenders They say cable locks should be used in addition to—and not as a substitute for—secure storage in a locked safe or other container.

Trigger Locks

Trigger locks also attach directly to the gun and prevent it from being fired by blocking the trigger. They are intended for use on unloaded weapons, but the lock does not prevent the firearm from being loaded. This can lead to a involuntary discharge while the lock is being removed. They can cost as little as $6.

Biometric weapons

Biometric handguns, also known as “smart guns,” are a recent innovation designed to allow only authorized users to fire them. A gun that uses fingerprint and facial recognition technology went on sale for the first time last year for about $1,500.