Storage of guns for defense in the home

[mzmtg]

My wife's coworker interrupted a number of people burglarizing her home yesterday afternoon.  She walked up on one of the perps coming around the corner of her house carrying her son's rifle he had just stolen.  Thankfully, the gun wasn't loaded and the perp was more interested in escaping than having any sort of confrontation.

No one was hurt, but the story got me thinking.

I usually keep my daily carry gun (and a flashlight) in a concealed & accessible position near my nightstand when I go to bed at night.  I keep a loaded Sport Utility Rifle in the closet as well.  We don't have any kids in the house, so that type of unauthorized access is not a concern right now.

But, if someone broke into my house while we weren't home, they would quickly find a loaded rifle ready for their use.

So I'm trying to think of a better way to set things up.  I'm thinking of keeping the rifle in the closet, but keeping the loaded magazine in a separate, concealed location that is still easy to access quickly.  I'm also looking for ideas on storing the rifle with the magazine inserted, but in a more concealed location that is still quickly accessible.

Anyone have any suggestions?
 

[Paraguy]

Great question, I look forward to seeing other responses.  One of my thoughts was that if you have a small pistol safe that it should be bolted in place so someone breaking in could not take it and then find a way to open it and get a gun they could use in future crimes later.

[cooptire]

I have young kids (4) in my house so that is always a concern of mine because I DO have loaded weapons accessible to my wife and I. How to store them is a constant concern and under constant scrutiny, mainly from the wife.

I have a small safe with an electronic keypad that I can get into quickly and have considered one of those 'in the wall' safes that fit between the wall studs to install somewhere like the closet for the AR. I feel that I could get to that in a reasonable time frame. While not exactly hidden, it would not be quickly apparent to an intruder.

I know that it won't be fast enough for MY tastes but at least it is better than being locked in the safe room downstairs. With kiddos in the house I can't have weapons around unlocked, no matter how much training/education I try to give them. 4 years old is still 4 years old.

[cooptire]

This is about what I was thinking of.

http://wallsafestore.com/riflewallsafe.htm
 

[Walkeraviator]

I belive they covered this on TBD.  Mounting the gun overhead above the closet door inside the closet is a good place.  Most thieves would never bother to look there and its too high for kids to get to.  I plan on employing this technique at my house, and could be adapted for both long gun and handgun applications.

[Sponsor]

[cjwise5]

Talked to the Truck Vault people at Shot Show about this.  (they make other stuff too
They have a product called the Shot Lock that attaches to your wall and holds a shotgun or similar long gun.  It has a key lock and/or a push button combo lock to open it.  Looked and functioned great at the show.  No idea on the price.  www.truckvault.com although I looked and didn't find it on their website yet.

Other ideas: I'll preface this by saying I do have small children in the house.  I keep a small pistol inside of a large hollowed out book on the bookshelf next to my bed.  Left unloaded with mag inside the box too.  my kids are small enough that they can't manipulate the slide even if they happened to find it.

All other guns are in a huge safe in the garage.  I'd pay the bad guys just to watch them try and carry that thing away.

[jaybet]

How about the wall clocks that open to hold a pistol? I thought of having one right by the door we come in just in case someone beats us home.

[ericire12]

How about the wall clocks that open to hold a pistol? I thought of having one right by the door we come in just in case someone beats us home.

They make something similar to conceal an AR too.

[Solus]

How about the wall clocks that open to hold a pistol? I thought of having one right by the door we come in just in case someone beats us home.

A Clock by the door may or may not work. 


If you saw a clock in a similar location at a friend house, would you think it was out of place?

[Paraguy]

I belive they covered this on TBD.  Mounting the gun overhead above the closet door inside the closet is a good place.  Most thieves would never bother to look there and its too high for kids to get to.  I plan on employing this technique at my house, and could be adapted for both long gun and handgun applications.

I know the experts on TBD know best, but I would never assume that a child could not get to a gun over a closet, there are very ingenious and determined.  Personally, I would not consider "out of reach" or "hidden" as a safe way to store a loaded firearm with children in the house (barring infants of course.)  Bottom line, I would rather take my chances needing more time to get a gun than take my chances with a child finding a loaded gun.