Biometric Safe ?
- Thread starter bobdbldr
- Start date
The accepted definition of a "safe" in Canada has nothing to do with what it says on the box it comes in, despite opinions to the contrary.
At this point, the definition comes from case law, and essentially says that a metal box that can be locked & used for containing valuables is a safe, and has specifically included things such as school lockers with a lock. My Stack-On 14-gun safe came labeled as a "safe", yet other, identical units can be found labeled as a "cabinet". Regardless, it still meets the definition of a safe. Local police departments use the identical unit to store their prohibs, and they are required to meet all storage regulations & have to be inspected for this.
As for the biometrics, they really only differ from others in the method of opening the lock. From a legal standpoint, they would qualify as safes for sure. If it were me, I'd make sure to bolt the thing down from the inside to make sure it stays where I put it. That's what I did with my Stack-On and, if it goes, the entire wall & floor go with it.
I have seen videos on small (fit-in-the-drawer, single pistol type) biometrics, but not full-size floor type safes. I'm sure there are some to avoid. I recall watching a video comparing several different in-the-drawer ones from various different manufacturers. It showed the differences in the way the safes were constructed and how easy (or not) they were to circumvent, depending on their design. I'd watch that video, and compare the recommended lock designs with any safes I was considering.
of course, it's highly unlikely that anyone intent on stealing your guns would be sophisticated enough to try to pick the lock or circumvent the biometrics. More likely, they'd attack it with a prybar & sledge hammer. In my view, the whole point of biometrics is not to increase security, but rather to make authorized access more convenient...which I believe they do.
I know this doesn't really answer your question, but maybe it helps in what to look for....
At this point, the definition comes from case law, and essentially says that a metal box that can be locked & used for containing valuables is a safe, and has specifically included things such as school lockers with a lock. My Stack-On 14-gun safe came labeled as a "safe", yet other, identical units can be found labeled as a "cabinet". Regardless, it still meets the definition of a safe. Local police departments use the identical unit to store their prohibs, and they are required to meet all storage regulations & have to be inspected for this.
As for the biometrics, they really only differ from others in the method of opening the lock. From a legal standpoint, they would qualify as safes for sure. If it were me, I'd make sure to bolt the thing down from the inside to make sure it stays where I put it. That's what I did with my Stack-On and, if it goes, the entire wall & floor go with it.
I have seen videos on small (fit-in-the-drawer, single pistol type) biometrics, but not full-size floor type safes. I'm sure there are some to avoid. I recall watching a video comparing several different in-the-drawer ones from various different manufacturers. It showed the differences in the way the safes were constructed and how easy (or not) they were to circumvent, depending on their design. I'd watch that video, and compare the recommended lock designs with any safes I was considering.
of course, it's highly unlikely that anyone intent on stealing your guns would be sophisticated enough to try to pick the lock or circumvent the biometrics. More likely, they'd attack it with a prybar & sledge hammer. In my view, the whole point of biometrics is not to increase security, but rather to make authorized access more convenient...which I believe they do.
I know this doesn't really answer your question, but maybe it helps in what to look for....
On the contrary, it helps very much and I never thought about youtube but they do have almost everything on it don't they! I have a hard time with the search function on this site so I am heading to you tube , I am looking for the small single or 2 handgun size and it is the ease of access I am looking for, however I would like a good one, not for the crooks but for the kids should they get inquisitive! Bolting down is a definite necessity!
Thanks again.
Cheers Bob
Just a thought - if you're interested in the biometric side of things, there is a great presentation on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Yr6ATdaDQ8
That has details about hacker-types cracking biometric gun safes. They show quite a few models and describe how each stacks up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Yr6ATdaDQ8
That has details about hacker-types cracking biometric gun safes. They show quite a few models and describe how each stacks up.
Interesting, Thanks!
