Handgun Storage

sailor723

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New Brunswick
There seem to be few (or maybe no) gunsafes intended solely for handgun storage. Almost all seem to be long gun only or in the larger sizes some have a few shelves down one side to accomodate both. Currently my handguns are trigger locked in locked transport cases and locked in a file drawer but this solution will cease to be viable as my collection grows past 4 or 5.

I was thinking about something like this that could be secured in a closet and using racks so it would accomodate 10-15 guns + ammo.....

http://www.amazon.ca/SentrySafe-T0-331-Security-Cubic-Black/dp/B0052U3EUQ

comments?....I don't really care about fire or water protection.....just want to be sure I'm satisfying the safe storage regs.....other suggestions?
 
It really comes down to personal preference. With that safe you would be satisfying safe storage regulations so go for it.
 
I haven't gotten around to it yet but I was thinking something like this attached to the side of the full size safe

ht tp://www.staples.com/office/supplies/StaplesProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogIdentifier=2&partNumber=985523&langid=-1&cid=PS:GooglePLAs:985523&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=985523&KPID=985523

A pistol in each pocket, that's 24 guns on each side, might lose a row of 4 depending on the height of your safe... but something to think about anyways.
 
There seem to be few (or maybe no) gunsafes intended solely for handgun storage. Almost all seem to be long gun only or in the larger sizes some have a few shelves down one side to accomodate both. Currently my handguns are trigger locked in locked transport cases and locked in a file drawer but this solution will cease to be viable as my collection grows past 4 or 5.

I was thinking about something like this that could be secured in a closet and using racks so it would accomodate 90-200 guns + ammo.....

http://www.amazon.ca/SentrySafe-T0-331-Security-Cubic-Black/dp/B0052U3EUQ

comments?....I don't really care about fire or water protection.....just want to be sure I'm satisfying the safe storage regs.....other suggestions?


Fixed it for you....now smarten up!
 
You can often find good deals on used commercial safes that are not tall enough for typical long guns but perfect for handguns and short rifles.
Try govt crown assets or local locksmiths in your area.
 
You're right, there's not many safes that are set up well for handguns.

Ideally the door would open up and we'd have some nice drawers that either rack the guns vertically or offer them up in shallow drawers with easily configured separators so they lay flat and hold about 4 to 6 guns per drawer.

The bottoms of the drawers would have holes in them so a Golden Rod is situated at the base of the stack of drawers and the warm and DRY air rises up through the stack and as it comes out the top cool it flows over to the sides and back down.

That's the plan. But it'll be a few months yet before I can put such a rig together and post any pictures.
 
The thing about being in a closet and being compact with "only" shelves is that you'll likely find that it's hard to see in there and hard to maneuver the guns around in the tight confines without bouncing them off each other. So you'll want to make up either trays that hold a few or protective socks to offer up some padding for the guns contacting each other often.

With all this in mind I'm going to suggest that for 15 to 20 that safe you gave the link for might be a little small with the shelves shown in stock form. Especially if the plan is to frequently access the guns for range days. The simple shelves will soon find many of them at the rear so you have to unload a bunch of others to get the one(s) you want that are at the back. But if you get creative and make up some sort of easily accessible slide out drawer sort of insert then I think you'll find that it's fine for that many.

And since a Golden Rod is a great idea for protecting them from rust issues you'll need AC power anyway. So while you're at it build in a light or two so you can see what you're doing.
 
Hi everyone. First post so I thought I would add something. I only have a stack on cabinet that is designed for 8 long guns and 2 bows. Seeing that I won't shoot bows I decided that side is pistol storage. The walls are lined in foam. The cabinet came with plastic pins to hang a bow from that work great through the trigger guard to hang the pistol upside down with a cable lock. Could probably hang 8 or more either side if you get more pins.
 
I've got a question: We all know you need to store your hand gun in a locked cabinet, unloaded...you can have a full mag next to it for emergencies, but the gun itself needs to be empty according to storage laws. Now awhile back I read about the guy who had a loaded pistol in one of those quick-open handgun safes next to his bed, and he put his fingers on it, the lock opened, and he pulled out the pistol and shot the intruder in his home. The court decided that since his pistol was locked up, it didn't matter that it was loaded, and he got off on that charge.
My question is, did that establish a precedent in Canadian law, so if we did the same thing as that guy did, (and therefore got our pistol out faster in a self defence situation), we also wouldn't be charged with "unsafe storage"?
 
I've got a question: We all know you need to store your hand gun in a locked cabinet, unloaded...you can have a full mag next to it for emergencies, but the gun itself needs to be empty according to storage laws. Now awhile back I read about the guy who had a loaded pistol in one of those quick-open handgun safes next to his bed, and he put his fingers on it, the lock opened, and he pulled out the pistol and shot the intruder in his home. The court decided that since his pistol was locked up, it didn't matter that it was loaded, and he got off on that charge.
My question is, did that establish a precedent in Canadian law, so if we did the same thing as that guy did, (and therefore got our pistol out faster in a self defence situation), we also wouldn't be charged with "unsafe storage"?

Pretty sure you are remembering that wrong or there is more to the story. The law is specific and clear on this point:

6. An individual may store a restricted firearm only if

(a) it is unloaded;

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-98-209/page-3.html#h-4

Shawn
 
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