Types of Gun Storage
Guide to Secure
Gun Storage Devices
The best secure gun storage solution is the one you will use consistently and that prevents unauthorized access to the firearms in your home and vehicle.
Find the Right Storage Solution For You
Secure Gun Storage Solutions are Not “One Size Fits All”
The information below outlines common types of gun storage, the estimated cost of each option, and other important factors to consider when securing your firearm.
If you’re looking for…
Storage that provides the most security for the long term and can fit multiple guns in one place
Full-Size Gun Safe
$200–$2,000Consider safes made with at least 10-gauge steel and pry-resistant construction.
Use Train SMART’s guide to buying a gun safe to explore other considerations when purchasing a gun safe.
- Provides long-term storage for multiple guns
- Prevents access by children, houseguests, and other unauthorized users
- Prevents theft
- Both mechanical and electronic lock types available
- Enables fast access
- Can protect other valuables
- May be fire-resistant
Storage for one to two handguns
Handgun Safe
$25–$350Consider handgun safes made with at least 14-gauge steel and pry-resistant features that have a system for anchoring it to a secure structure like a wall stud or the floor.
Use Train SMART’s guide to buying a gun safe to explore other considerations when purchasing a gun safe.
- Long-term storage for 1–2 handguns
- Prevents access by children, houseguests, and other unauthorized users
- Prevents theft if secured to a structure in home
- Both mechanical and electronic lock types available
- Enables fast access
- Poses theft risk if not secured to a structure in the home or vehicle
Temporary firearm storage in a vehicle
Vehicle Lockbox or Safe
$25–$350Consider a lockbox or safe that is pry-resistant, made of steel, and can be hidden from view (under a seat or in the trunk, for example) and anchored to the structure of the vehicle, like the vehicle frame or the base of a seat.
- Provides secure vehicle storage for short-term transportation
- Prevents access by children and other unauthorized users
- Both mechanical and electronic lock types available
- Prevents theft if secured to the car
- Console location is easily accessed and may not comply with state law
Temporary storage at home or in a vehicle
Locked Gun Case
$10–$150Consider a case made of impact-resistant plastic or metal. If transporting the case, secure it to the structure of the vehicle with a cable lock.
- Prevents access by children, houseguests, and other unauthorized users
- Usually paired with a steel lock that is difficult to pick or cut
- Enables fast access
- Not ideal for long-term storage
Storage that prevents a single weapon from firing
Cable Lock
$0*–$50*Often provided with new firearms.
If your firearm did not come with a cable lock, consider one with a thick steel cable and a sealed padlock. The cable should run through the action of an unloaded weapon to prevent firing.
- Prevents use by young children
- Disables firearm when installed correctly
- Enables fast access
- Not ideal for long-term storage on its own
- Easily dismantled with minimal tools and skills
- Poses theft risk
- Not as effective with older children and teens
Storage that locks the trigger of a single weapon
Trigger Lock
$5–$75Never use a trigger lock with a loaded gun.
Consider a trigger lock that completely covers the firearm’s trigger guard and utilizes steel components.
- Prevents use by young children
- Enables fast access
- Not ideal for long-term storage on its own
- Poses risk of discharging if used with loaded gun
- Easily dismantled with minimal tools and skills
- Poses theft risk
- Not as effective with older children and teens
Out-of-Home Gun Storage
Why You May Want to Store Your Gun Away From Your Home Temporarily
Sometimes the safest way for a gun owner to store their firearms is at a secure location away from their home.
If you are looking for an out-of-home gun storage option, start by getting in touch with your local police department or gun shop, who may be able to provide temporary storage.
Access to a gun in a moment of crisis drastically increases the risk of death by suicide, so temporarily removing a gun from the home can literally be a life-saving action.
Other reasons to store a gun away from the home:
- If a gun owner will be away from their home for an extended period of time
- If young children or others who should not access a firearm are visiting the home
- If someone is in temporary housing
- If a home is being rented
FAQs
Answers to Your Questions About Secure Gun Storage
I need a gun for self-defense. What type of secure storage solution will allow me to quickly access my firearm while keeping my household safe?
Most gun safes today are designed to offer quick access to a firearm without sacrificing security. For example, a biometric safe can pop open the second it recognizes an authorized user’s fingerprint while still securing your gun from unauthorized access. The goal is to find the safe that works for you and pair it with other security measures that can give you more time to respond in an emergency.
I’ve taught my children to stop, run away, and tell an adult when they see a firearm. Why do I have to secure my gun if they’ve been taught to never touch it?
Children and teens are curious by nature, and a moment of impulsivity can lead to a life-changing tragedy. It’s always an adult’s job to protect children by securing all of their firearms whenever they aren’t in use.
Where can I get a cable lock, gun safe, or lockbox?
Cable locks are often included with firearms, but many secure storage options can be purchased from gun shops, sporting goods stores, or online retailers. Reach out to your local police department or department of public health for additional secure storage options.
I only ever put my gun in my vehicle to drive 10 minutes down the road to the range. Do I really need a vehicle safe or case?
In many states, it’s illegal to drive with a firearm that isn’t secured in a locked container, and if you’re ever pulled over by police or in an accident, having your gun secured will likely help to de-escalate the situation.
It only takes a few seconds for someone to break into a vehicle and steal a firearm, and many stolen guns end up at crime scenes. In fact, guns are stolen from vehicles every nine minutes in the U.S. Additionally, if a passenger, such as a child, discovers your firearm, they may be tempted to handle it and seriously injure or kill themselves or others. Taking the time to secure a gun can go a long way and could even save a life.
Are biometric gun safes the best option for secure gun storage?
Biometric safes can offer quick access, but other types — including those with mechanical locks or electronic keypads — can be just as secure and just as quick to unlock in an emergency. Find the best secure storage that works for your needs and that you’ll use consistently, but remember: Never sacrifice security for speed.