G u n S a f e t y

G u n   S a f e t y

Things have happened to bring this topic back to mind.

Specifically:

Why Should You Not Store LOADED Firearms In Any Safe Or Lock Box?

An internet search did not clearly answer this query.

Reminder"

6 Basic Gun Safety Rules - From https://universalgunsafety.com/6-basic-gun-safety-rules/

Whether you are the owner of a firearm or live in the home of someone who owns firearms there are six basic gun safety rules that should be followed by everyone. If anyone who might come in contact with that firearm understands the following six basic gun safety rules than the odds of everyone staying safe are extremely high.
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[*]Until able to prove otherwise, assume all firearms are loaded – always treat a firearm as if it is loaded until you are able to assess otherwise, even if you just had the firearm in your hands say an hour ago, be sure to check it again if you’re going to handle it again and if for some reason you are unable to verify it is unloaded leave it alone.
[*]Point the firearm in the safest direction – be aware at all times of where the firearm is pointing, and make sure it is pointed in the safest direction possible, which means if it were to fire it would do the least amount of damage, never point a firearm at another person or yourself and only point of firearm at something you intend to shoot.
[*]Do not put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to pull it – although it is more comfortable to keep your finger on the trigger it is also more dangerous. Be sure to keep your finger off the trigger until the moment you are ready to shoot. If your finger is on the trigger and you trip you could inadvertently pull it by accident. Also, loud noises sometimes startle us generating a muscle memory response which could also accidentally discharge the firearm.
[*]Know what is beyond your target – we would all like to think we have the ability to shoot perfectly, however the reality is that we miss sometimes. Due to our imperfectness it is imperative that we know what is beyond the intended target. If we know what is beyond our target and we miss we are aware of what we might accidentally shoot.
[*]Be able to properly operate your firearm – understanding the mechanics of a firearm is just as imperative is understanding what is beyond the target. Knowing how to properly load and unload a firearm is essential. It is also important to understand how to clear a malfunction, should one occur.
[*]Understand why storing your firearm safely is important – one of the most essential pieces of owning a firearm is always being a safe as possible. One of the best ways to be safe with a firearm is by storing it safely and properly. Using a safety device on the gun and storing the firearm in a locked container is the best option. Also, storing ammunition in a different location will maximize your safety options.
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Being the owner of a firearm or living in a home with a firearm is a big responsibility. By following the six basic gun safety rules listed above a home with a firearm can keep everyone as safe as possible.

Wes, I agree with what you say and can't stress enough about finger off the trigger. I had my .22 go off at a match last year when "making ready with 5 rounds load", damn lucky I consciously point downrange.
 I always maintain the storage issue, a lot of gun owners don't seem to think is important. Once I bought my first firearm, I was afraid someone would break in and steal it or use it against me, and that was a shotgun for hunting. When I bought my first handgun I finally bought a locking cabinet, now I own a good gun safe. I still have gun in the drawer when I'm home, I don't have children, my wife owns her carry gun and has a permit to carry also. When leaving home we take with us or put them in the safe unloaded when ever children come over.
Stan

chopper wrote:Wes, I agree with what you say and can't stress enough about finger off the trigger. I had my .22 go off at a match last year when "making ready with 5 rounds load", damn lucky I consciously point downrange.
 I always maintain the storage issue, a lot of gun owners don't seem to think is important. Once I bought my first firearm, I was afraid someone would break in and steal it or use it against me, and that was a shotgun for hunting. When I bought my first handgun I finally bought a locking cabinet, now I own a good gun safe. I still have gun in the drawer when I'm home, I don't have children, my wife owns her carry gun and has a permit to carry also. When leaving home we take with us or put them in the safe unloaded when ever children come over.

I am mainly worried about theft. The only child in the house is two, and his mom and dad keep him out of my room. I sold all of my guns except one to help with the budget when my daughter was pregnant. Now I have my Bullseye pistols and a 3 inch ATI Titan 1911 for carry, but I want to put a cipher lock on my closet, so I won't have to scramble when nieces and nephews arrive unexpectedly or holiday guests arrive. Also plan to get a spring-loaded RFID pistol box for when I don't want to carry in my home.

If you expand on the word "safety", and the reason you keep a gun at home is for your own "safety", then while you need a way to keep it locked away safely when not needed or in use, doesn't it make things LESS safe for you if you not only have to open the safe box that the gun is in, find the ammo, and load it?  

I keep my guns in a gun safe, and keep my ammo in the reloading room.  It's probably what most people call "safe", but if anything happened when I really needed it, I'd need to turn the lights on or find a flashlight to open the gun safe, retrieve the gun, go get the ammo, load the gun, and then be ready to deal with whatever the emergency was.  

Plan "B" is/was to get a gun solely for personal safety, keep it loaded, and keep it in some kind of quick-open safe, that really is safe, if such a thing exists.

(All this is being written in February, 2019, and it's relatively calm outside in the world.  If something were to change, such as some kind of social unrest, then I would have to re-think all of this.....      but honestly, I don't have guns for self protection, as the only thing I expect to use them on is defenseless paper targets....   Again, life could change, in which case I would have to adapt accordingly.)