Secure Gun Storage 101
Locked.
Unloaded. Inaccessible.
Secure gun storage takes seconds, saves lives, and protects children and communities.
Best Practices
The Gold Standard of Secure Gun Storage
If you have guns in your home or vehicles, it’s essential to store them so that they’re inaccessible to kids and any unauthorized people.
There are many types of storage devices to meet the needs of different gun owners, but the best secure storage solution for you is one you will use consistently.
Take the time, every time, to secure your gun.
Remember
Just because a gun is out of sight does not mean it is stored securely
Firearms “hidden” in places such as under mattresses, on closet shelves, in nightstand drawers, or under the seat in a vehicle can be found by curious or determined children and teens, who may — intentionally or unintentionally — kill or injure themselves or others. It only takes seconds for tragedy to strike.
Locked Up
With keys or codes kept private
Unloaded
Ensure there is no ammunition in the gun
Separate From Ammunition
Store ammunition in a different place from guns
For All Adults
If We Can Prevent One Child’s Death or Injury, it is Our Responsibility To Do So
Secure firearm storage is an issue all of us — gun owners and non gun owners alike — need to worry about. Whether it’s your gun or not, it could be your child or your community touched by an intentional or unintentional shooting with an unsecured firearm.
If you’re not a gun owner, you can Be SMART by asking friends, family, and neighbors how they store their guns. Treat it like any other safety issue: Ask about guns like you would ask about the pets, food allergies, pools, or cleaning chemicals.
Statistics
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Roughly three out of four school shooters acquired their firearm from the home of a parent or close relative.
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Children in the US live in a house with at least one loaded, unlocked gun.
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Children in the US who gain access to a firearm and unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else.
Types of Storage
Your Guide to Gun Storage
The best kind of secure gun storage is the one you will use consistently. Find the storage solution that fits your lifestyle and protects your loved ones.
In Your State
Secure Gun Storage Laws
Firearm storage and/or child access prevention laws vary by state. Learn the laws in your state and follow gold-standard secure gun storage practices—no matter where you are.
In Your Vehicle
Secure Storage in Vehicles
Store guns out of sight, out of reach, and in a locked container attached to your vehicle. Learn the laws in your state and best practices to follow.
FAQs
Answers to Your Questions About Secure Gun Storage
Does secure gun storage actually work?
Yes! A study on storage practices — including storing household guns unloaded, locked, and separate from the ammunition — showed that households that locked both firearms and ammunition had an 85 percent lower risk of unintentional firearm injuries among children and teenagers than those that locked up neither.
Research also indicates that secure gun storage practices are associated with reduced rates of child firearm suicide. One study showed that households that locked both firearms and ammunition had a 78 percent lower risk of self-inflicted firearm injuries among children and teenagers.
What is the best type of gun storage?
The best type of gun storage is one that you will use consistently to secure all your firearms & keeps your gun inaccessible to kids and others who shouldn’t have access.
See our guide to secure gun storage devices here.
What are the laws about storing or traveling with guns in vehicles?
Laws regarding guns in vehicles vary by state. Remember to look up the laws in all states you’ll be traveling to or through, and to follow best practices by having all guns locked, unloaded, and inaccessible.
Find more information about secure storage in vehicles here.
I’ve warned my children not to touch my gun(s); do I really need to lock up my firearm?
Yes, it is always an adult’s responsibility to keep children safe. Children are naturally curious, and even a toddler is strong enough to pull the trigger of a gun.
Between 2015 and 2025, one in every three unintentional shooters was a preschooler.
Unintentional shootings occur most frequently at times when children are likely to be home: over the weekend and in the summer. These tragedies can leave multiple families and their extended communities facing grief, regret, and years of physical, emotional, and sometimes legal and financial consequences.
Where can I get gun safety training that includes information about secure storage?
Train SMART is a new gun safety training program created by veterans who bring the military’s proven principles of firearms training, safety, and responsibility to the civilian market. The training courses are designed to give current and prospective gun owners everything they need to know to protect their loved ones, hunt, and shoot recreationally as responsibly as possible.