Where do you keep your guns

[Beardo]

No it’s not like we have inspections. But if you ever had a break in and had one stolen...you’d be charged for unsafe storage.

Having said that, I know a few people who may have them located in an easy to reach place that wouldn’t be easily found. Of course, I don’t condone that...it’s terribly irresponsible.

Unsafe storage charge in a theft? That is not 100% wrong but 1000%was wrong.  It is freakin stolen.
And the few people you know are smart. I
Hope you are one of them and you last sentence was horse poop!!   

 

[Jess from VA]

No it’s not like we have inspections. But if you ever had a break in and had one stolen...you’d be charged for unsafe storage.

Having said that, I know a few people who may have them located in an easy to reach place that wouldn’t be easily found. Of course, I don’t condone that...it’s terribly irresponsible.

I understand.  I also think it's irresponsible to leave guns out if you live somewhere where break in is a reasonable likelihood.    

The workaround would be to be all locked up when gone, and then a pistol (or something) out when home. A PITA, but doable.

And there are carpentry (or other well crafted) hidey holes that are probably as secure as a safe short of a tornado (and not in a nightstand).  This is another stand alone discussion worth having, except no one should ever put this in print, beyond generic speaking.   

[shadowsoftime]

Yes I did and I wasn’t trying to be an ass but in my eyes unless you have a million dollar gun it is just a brick Unless you know how or are willing to shoot it.

COME ON , a million dollar gun

[Jess from VA]

One of our members has two original Colt Walker pistols, I think with consecutive serial numbers and presentation grade.  They sit in a bank deposit box.  

Wiki:  [3]Only 1,100 of these guns were originally made, 1,000 as part of a military contract and an additional 100 for the civilian market, making original Colt Walker revolvers extremely rare and expensive to acquire. On October 9, 2008, one specimen that had been handed down from a Mexican War veteran was sold at auction for US$920,000.



Not that this is a particulary good home defense weapon.

[DirtyDan]

Check out #1

https://moneyinc.com/the-10-most-expensive-guns-ever-sold-at-auction/

Dan

[Serk]

is it legal to have a functioning gun hanging on the wall in plain site there?  Does that vary by state?

Plain sight, yes. However even in Texas it's illegal to leave a loaded gun where someone 17 or under could get it. What exactly that entails is up for the lawyers to quibble about.

As for me, if I look up from where I sit right now this is my view:



(WWII Turkish Mauser on the left, WWII Soviet Mosin Nagant on the right, and the Scottish basket hilt Claymore hanging between them is also very real and very sharp. There are 5 more guns hanging in this room, mostly WW2 examples, a WWI example, and a recently inherited 12 gauge double barrel that I deemed unsafe to shoot.)

I will leave their loaded/unloaded status up to the imaginations of the reader. 

[vanagon40]

I cannot find the article, but I swear I once read that someone (maybe Massad Ayoob) kept a nonfunctional rifle (or shotgun, etc.) hanging in a prominent location that could be seen as soon as he entered the front door. If the gun was not there, he knew he been burglarized (and someone might still be in the house).

[Chrisj CMA]

I put a locking knob on the walk in closet. Some guns that I don’t use often are in there. The ones I use are in places I can get to easily. Yes they are loaded. I don’t have a safe. If the grandkids are coming over I can easily put all the guns in the closet and lock the door. The gun grabbers want even your personal protection / home defense weapons in a safe and unloaded  

If you knock on my door un announced after dark  I will be armed when I go see what’s going on. If I decide to open the door and I don’t know you I will think of you as a threat until proven otherwise.

We live in a world where so many are willing to kill for pennies to get what they want. It’s sad but true. If you think you are safer because you live in a quiet “good” neighborhood. Think again those types of neighborhoods are great targets because bad guys are banking on you being un prepared

[Serk]

If you think you are safer because you live in a quiet “good” neighborhood. Think again those types of neighborhoods are great targets because bad guys are banking on you being un prepared

I live in a quiet "good" neighborhood. When I first got a quality IWB holster I was just going to try carrying around the house for a few days to get used to it; while doing so I saw a police report about two blocks over of a family who's door was kicked in, the family held at knife point while the mother and daughter were taken advantage of, robbed, then the bad guys stole the family car and drove away.

That's when I decided my temporary "carry at home" experiment would become full time.

[Crackerborn]

I have grandchildren that are in my home often so there is only one loose firearm in the house and it is on me or in a place that is unreachable by 2 and 3 year olds. All other firearms are in a safe in the house with the exception of and old Remington 870 that is hanging in the barn above a service door for varmint reduction.

There are two unfired long guns in the safe. One I consider as unsafe to fire (WWI era service gun) and a semi-auto shotgun that just hasn't made it to the range for patterning since I picked it up. I also have an over-under shotgun that is quite valuable and seldom leaves the safe but it has been used in trap competition. It is too pretty and shiny to carry into woods as a hunting gun.

As far as theft goes, if some scum knows you have it and they want it bad enough, they will get it. A gentleman of my acquaintance had his safe bolted to the basement wall and after a short trip returned home to find his safe chiseled off the wall and gone.

[Jess from VA]

I cannot find the article, but I swear I once read that someone (maybe Massad Ayoob) kept a nonfunctional rifle (or shotgun, etc.) hanging in a prominent location that could be seen as soon as he entered the front door. If the gun was not there, he knew he been burglarized (and someone might still be in the house).

Yes, that is in one of Massad Ayoob's books.  A non functioning handgun, that I think could been seen looking through a small front door window.  Burglar bait.

I think this one.

[0leman]

the original question was where do you keep you weapons, rifles, shotguns, pistols (guns?).  I use to have a gun safe where all but one was kept.   Somewhere in the last several years all those weapons seem to have disappeared.  Not sure why.  

When I did have them, there was a WWII Webley that was kept out of the safe.  No paper trace on how I got the weapon (came to the states with my Dad after the war along with its twin).  

All of my pass weapons had been fired by me except for two.  A Cap/ball revolver and a 10 gauge single shot shotgun.   Both very old.  

Not sure if our Dem state congress passed the bill requiring all weapons to be locked up all the time or not.   I will have to check on that just in case I obtain a firearm.  wink wink

[RDAbull]

I have more than a couple left after I lost most of them in the boating accident at the lake while I was duck hunting with all of my shotguns and target plinking with the rest of the stuff.

The only one I don't shoot is an A3/04 sniper rifle that I picked up several years ago from a friend who got it out of his Dad's house after he died.  I had my gunsmith check it out and after he ran a bore test certified that except for the two shots at the factory it had never been fired.  A true collector piece that deserved to be preserved.

[Wizzard]

No one but me knows how many guns I have and where they are at and I am keeping it that way.

[Jess from VA]

If there are children (or others of unreliable security) in your home, you have extra difficulty in locating home defense firearms.  I don't, so I won't address it.

The key to locating any firearm left out for home defense is to NEVER put it where it would be most expected to be.  

The single most expected place in a home for a firearm is the bedroom night stand, so that is the most stupid place to put one.  

Instead, get a cheapo nylon holster, zip screw it to the window frame on an angle best suited to quick draw, behind the curtains to that window that hide it whether the curtains are open or closed.

Similarly, handguns can be secured in a holster, flat up underneath tables, nightstands, end tables.  These cannot be seen unless someone is laying on the floor close-by.

A good spot for a handgun is hung on the trigger guard on a screw (wrapped in elect tape) up under the cabinet that holds any sink, as high on the inside facing wall as possible.  A search of that cabinet would probably never result in it even being seen up there.  

A shotgun or carbine can be hung on two nails on the inside of any closet, flat above the door header.  Stand in front of the open door and you can't see it.

Good places to hide firearms can be found in much exposed duct-work, as long as it does not get too hot; there are places that can never be seen, only reached in and felt.

The poor man's safe has been in the pockets of hanging clothes/coats forever, though thieves know to look there.  And a lot of nice jewelry has ended up lost to the dry cleaners this way.

The old cut all the pages out of a hardcover book in the shape of a handgun still works, but best when placed in a row of books, not sitting alone.

Adapt, improvise, overcome.

But good security must always start from the street in.  The idea is to present a home that looks well secured, with nothing valuable just laying around.  A home that stalking thieves will always pass by in favor of more promising looking targets.  I have lights on all night on all four sides of my home, the backyard is surrounded by 7' solid fence with 8' gates always locked, (except the part on the side street that code requires only 4', so that is planted with sharp and pointy things, inside and outside the fence).  Additional motion sensor lights at both doors.  And the house does not stand out for wealth, only security.  

  

[Beardo]

The thing that always baffled me is the guys that have stickers of Browning, hunting, etc all over their truck that parks right outside their house.

Some might think that’s saying “don’t mess with me” but it also says...this house has guns, just wait til I leave.

[Jess from VA]

I agree Beardo.  

No matter how much I would like to advertise my support of all things firearm, NRA, conservative politics, etc, you can find no advertisement on my property (inside my buildings yes) or vehicles.  I don't even wear their Tshirts, though I have many.

Especially living in a liberal oasis where a Trump bumper sticker could get me rammed by an eco friendly electric and pedal-powered Volvo that still has Obama stickers all over it.  

I still fly my flag on certain days.

[shadowsoftime]

actually, i don't have any firearms,just a bb gun.   

[MarkT]

On the bottom of Lake Michigan.  Except the one I'm carrying.

[cookiedough]

Serk,  if you have 100+ guns am in AWE!  I was guessing say 20-30 but over 100- WOW!

That is a lot of dough to spend on guns and ammo per year, but guess gotta have a hobby besides cycling right?  I guess same thing can be said though on any hobby such as me fishing, although not the dough spent on tackle vs. guns am sure. 

Am sure just in lures alone have well over 1 grand very easily in my 4-5 tackle boxes. 

back on topic:   I have only 1 gun safe and all guns stored there in the bedroom right next to where I sleep just in case need get to them ASAP in the middle of the night..     3 shotguns,  few .22's, few BB/pellet guns, and .30-06 ruger is about it though...  I guess I need to expand my caliber range, although do not shoot them nearly as often as I really should.

[Serk]

Serk,  if you have 100+ guns am in AWE!  I was guessing say 20-30 but over 100- WOW!

The spousal unit will warn people that I don't have hobbies..... I have obsessions......  

If non shootable NFA items (I.E. Suppressors/Silencers) that the government considers firearms are counted, I have around 150 total firearms.....

Taking the Serk Jr to the land tomorrow to shoot some of the 20 I added to the collection last weekend (Sadly, through inheritance.....)


(And no, not too worried about posting that since between my NFA registrations, my concealed carry license, my Benefactor Patriot Lifetime NRA membership, my GOA Lifetime membership, my TSRA Lifetime membership and my NAGR annual membership pretty sure I'm already on ALL the lists as it is..... )


For anyone who feels the need to say they "Lost" their guns in a boating accident, if it's come to that, it's past time to start using them.

And it pains me to say that.....

[Jess from VA]

OK, You win.  


It's amazing how having them come to YOUR (my) state with laws I never would have (ever) expected to pass and almost pass (maybe until only next year) makes you rethink what you will put in writing.  

I mean, you don't want to make it easier for them to come and take you away before the war even gets started.

(The one that didn't pass included a state ban on suppressors, which are immensely popular here.)  

[RDAbull]

For anyone who feels the need to say they "Lost" their guns in a boating accident, if it's come to that, it's past time to start using them.

And it pains me to say that.....

[/quote]

Just a Standard Joke.

Like you I have been collecting for many years.  Got my first rifle for Christmas when I was 10.  Inherited a few, but most were picked up from dealers, individuals or auctions over the last 60 years.  Every time we buy ammunition we get on another list.

My Texan Grandfather and Indiana County Sherriff Grandfather both taught me the hows and whys of firearm safety and respect. 

[old2soon]

No one but me knows how many guns I have and where they are at and I am keeping it that way.

     This with the detractor that one Is ALWAYS close at hand-ALWAYS. RIDE SAFE. P S-I'd much rather the bad person becomes the statistic.

[Mr Whiskey]

Easily to hand.

24/7/365

[Gavin_Sons]

In my pocket, in a holster on my side, slung over my shoulder, in the back window of my truck. Wher ed is not a good place to keep them? Oh you mean while not in use? In the gun safe and one on a magnet in the headboard of my bed.

[rainman]

I have  12 unfired Colt 1911 and one stashed in every room and bath, just in case. AK-47, Sawed off d/b
AR-15, 2 darrengers, Whenchester 30/30 ,2 Kimbers, Chrome plated Frontier 6 shooter. Just incase the bad guys come. For some reason I don't carry, even thow it is legal here W/O permit.

i bet the safest place with a gun in your hands is in front of you.
you need to shot them so you know how they react and you don't drop it when it goes off
 

[Jess from VA]

The WHERE do you keep them part of the question should be governed by some time thinking about your abode.

The ideal way to defend yourself, is to see the threat coming and find the best location for cover and concealment in your house to cover the door (or window?) they are coming through.  But that is unlikely.
  
It is more likely that they will come through a door (or window?) in total surprise, leaving you little or no time for prep and planning.  So you must decide beforehand if that happens, where in your house are the best locations for defensive cover, relative to your doors, and ideally have prepositioned firearms at those locations, or as near them as possible.  Where will you run?  

It would be nice to have the hardened safe room we have seen in the movies, but most of us aren't going to have one.  Since most break-ins may come in the night, having some level of security in your bedroom is ideal, even if all that is is a solid core door with a better lockset than most bedroom doors (it may not stop them, but it should give you precious time to get ready).  And in any home with stairs, stairwells become a natural (narrowed) defensive position.  The experts generally agree it is better to defend a position, than to go on the offensive in search of your house and an intruder (even though you know your house better than he does).

If you happen to spend a great deal of time in a position that is not near any cover and concealment (like your recliner in front of the living room TV, or workbench in the garage), then that may also be a good location for a firearm.  

I don't have a family, but if you do, it seems only reasonable to have a plan in place that everyone knows and understands, about what they are to do, and where they are to go.

Maybe this is all pretty common sense, but this is the type of thinking and planning that should be done in choosing where to keep and use firearms inside your home (or garage or outbuildings).

In my home, assuming I beat you up the stairs, good luck getting up those stairs behind me.  And then you are telling them 911 has already been called, and the police are on the way, so how long do you want to sit down there and argue with me about my valuables?  Thery're all up here, come and get them.  Just follow the little green laser beam.  

And then there's dogs.  (though they don't care where you keep your firearms)    

[Alberta Patriot]

Savvy is a good word...probably describes the proud gun owner comments here.
I was not raised in the  gun culture, but I know many hunters who embrace it and they are all careful, environment loving, patriotic folks...IMHO

[RDAbull]

It seems the only purpose of this thread is to brag...if someone owns a lot of expensive guns, coins, art, etc. then there are better places to ask for advice than a motorcycle forum.  A savvy collector knows how to take care of their property.

To each their own...

And a lot of us have considerably broader hobbies and likes than just bikes.  This is a good place for like minded folks to exchange comments on many of our common ilk's.
And kind of a fun place to rag on each other once in while too!

[Tx Bohemian]

Boy, this went way off topic!!

As far as the original question goes:
Grandkids getting older so the wife and I decided the guns need to be better secured and “out of reach”!!

A year or so ago I bought a lockable “gun cabinet” (not a safe) from TSC.  I think it holds 10-12 long guns and as many hand guns you can stack on the shelf it has.
At our old house we kept all our guns in a lockable walk-in closet but our new (to us) house does not have this.

We do live in a very “quiet” neighborhood, but I also have 3 “self-defense” pistols placed in various, hidden, out of kids reach areas around the house. Plus I have a sawed-off, pistol gripped, 12 gauge I carry in my truck and the wife carries her concealed pistol in her “special” purse pretty much everywhere she goes. We both have our CCW license.

We also have two Great Danes that a burglar would need to have very big “nuggets” to try and break into our house!

[shadowsoftime]

It seems the only purpose of this thread is to brag...if someone owns a lot of expensive guns, coins, art, etc. then there are better places to ask for advice than a motorcycle forum.  A savvy collector knows how to take care of their property.

To each their own...

valkyries and guns,  nice combo. talking about or showing pics of your valks or guns is sharing a common interest, that is not bragging.

[carolinarider09]

Having suitable weapons close to hand is a good security precaution but, while firearms can provide security, I prefer to think a more layer approach to personal security is needed.

On the road, security is a matter of awareness of your surroundings, avoiding obvious "bad" areas, taking note of events, activities, ect.

At home, security should employ a layered approach, establishing permitters that will provide advance warning of something or someone one penetrating those permitters.  Its reality easy to do today.

Having motion activated outdoor lighting is one way.  While it will not specifically provide a permitter it will startle anything/anyone activating those devices.  They are cheap and easily installed.

Motion detecting sensors such as the ones from Dakota Alert (www.dakotaalert.com). provide not only motion detection on encrypted radio frequencies but also can provide driveway notifications baed on equipment (cars, trucks, wheelbarrows) crossing a giving area. 

Motion detection camera systems such as those offered by Netgear (Arlo to be specific) provide remote monitoring and can, if activated, provide an alarm when motion is detected.  The alarm can be provided locally (with the device) or remotely via your cellphone. 

Again advance waring allows time to take appropriate steps.

Special materials are available  that maybe placed over large window areas or small windows which line some doors making it hard to simply break the glass with a hammer.  Bulletproof versions are also available.  The cost for the non-bulletproof version is not that bad for the added security.

One interesting thing that I only noted when building my house, was that the Residential Building Code requires exterior (well not all) doors to open inward.  This makes breaking in via the door much easier.  There are several firms that make crossbars that will make your exterior doors safer.

And finally a home security system can be added to provide alarms when the identified permitter is breached.  This should include not only alarms on openings (windows and doors) but also a specific glass break sensor.  Motion detectors are ok when the building is not occupied but not a viable option when the building is occupied. 

The security system should have a monitoring service, WatchLight is one such service, that will contact the appropriate authorities when needed.  Most of these services have an option that you can use that will notify the authorities first, if you are not in the area being protected.

This type of layered defense system will give you adequate time to take the steps necessary for personnel protection in the event of unwanted intrusion.   

And yes, having a dog in your house will also provide an alarm if someone approaches. 

[Jess from VA]

My brother up in MI (out in the country) lives next to an FBI specialist in cyber security and foreign government theft of intellectual property.  They are pretty good friends, and my brother hooked him up with all the necessary equipment to be a country gentleman, like trucks, tractors, snow plows and chain saws and such.

He tells me whenever he goes over to his house, he always answers the door before he's even on the porch.  With two big German Shepherds that never bark (and never stop watching him when he's over there).  

My brother's idea of security is to close the door when he goes in his house, and to leave a light on in the kitchen.  He's so deaf without his hearing aids, you could back up a semi and load out his house, and he'd never even wake up.  And he has a cat that doesn't bark either.  

The dichotomies of life.    

[Pappy!]

Two Great Danes, both with absolutely booming thunderous barks, deep down menacing growls and ears from Hell that can hear things the other dogs cannot.
Not sure what they would actually do in a break in but the sound alone I guarantee would bring a major change of plans to most anyone thinking of breaking in.

[Jess from VA]

Many years ago, I had occasion to share a house with a couple that had a 202lb brindle Great Dane (Buckshot).  He was just a great big kid, who loved everyone.  He was so happy to see you when you got home from work, you had to learn to turn sideways or his wagging tail would smack you square in the nuts and drop you to the floor (and then he'd lick your face off).  They kept a heated waterbed (single) couch in the living room, and that was his "spot."

But get him in the car at a gas station (he needed the whole backseat), when the guy came out to pump your gas (back then) he turned into the Hound of the Baskervilles and Kudjo all in one.  He was really hard on the back seat upholstery, and I liked him a lot, but he wasn't welcome in my back seat.  

They also had this gigantic cat, and they got along fine, but outside Buckshot wanted to play (and the cat didn't), so he'd gently pick the cat up up in his jaws and run him up and down the yard a few times for fun.  The cat would always disappear for a few days after this happened.  

[Robert]

Two Great Danes, both with absolutely booming thunderous barks, deep down menacing growls and ears from Hell that can hear things the other dogs cannot.
Not sure what they would actually do in a break in but the sound alone I guarantee would bring a major change of plans to most anyone thinking of breaking in.

My dane was about 175 lbs stood over 6 1/2 feet on hind legs and was not only a great protector but just a good natured dog. Jess's story of the tail in the wrong places brings tears to my eyes for my shared experiences and the laugh. You dont really have to worry about security to much when people cross over the other side of the street if you are walking him.

In the back seat he was pretty quiet but would watch and occasionally someone would walk by and see him and the reaction was priceless. Many would just seem to disappear quickly, and the famed response when you pull up somewhere, man thats a big dog you got there. 

In an interesting story.

LA DA Responds After Husband Points Gun At Black Lives Matter Protesters: ‘Our Home Is Our Sanctuary’

https://www.dailywire.com/news/la-da-responds-after-husband-points-gun-at-black-lives-matter-protesters-our-home-is-our-sanctuary?%3Futm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dwtwitter

[Jess Tolbirt]

mine are stored in the bow of a boat that sunk a few years back

[Pappy!]

The Danes have now been joined by a Yorkie.......! 6 months old and about 4 lbs. soaking wet.
That little Yorkie knows no fear and when the Danes are laying down the Yorkie wreaks havoc with both of them. The two gentle giants love to play with the little bugger. Keep away with one of the micro sized toys is a fave game.

Sorry about the thread hi-jack but to put it back on track I will add that the Yorkie is learning to protect mom pretty well lol.

[carolinarider09]

Our dog is a fun loving dog, but very interested in anything going on outside. 

She barks when something outside changes, when animals or vehicles approach the house. 

She is an excellent early warning system. 

She enjoys the outdoors as well, chasing squirrels, turkeys, buzzards and playing in the small creek at the back of our property.