Firearm Safety & Storage: How to Properly Store Your Guns

According to Aftermath, there were 495 incidents of accidental firearm deaths in 2016. Statistics like these serve a reminder of the responsibility required when using a firearm; as many gun enthusiasts know, it has less to do with the firearms themselves and much more to do with proper gun safety and storage. For the 43 percent of Americans that keep firearms in their homes, some simple precautions can exponentially lower the likelihood of being impacted by a gun-related accident. Read on to learn how to properly obtain, store, and safely enjoy your firearms, as well as get the most out of them with performance-enhancing accessories.

Obtaining Firearms | How to Purchase Guns in the U.S.

In 1998, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (or the NICS for short) went online, leading to the FBI processing over 320 million of them in the span of just 22 years. In 98 percent of cases, these background checks take mere minutes to approve the buyer, with only 2 percent of purchasers being rejected due to a disqualifying criminal record. When you ask to purchase a gun at a licensed gun store, you’ll first be presented with Form 4473, which asks 16 questions regarding your background, drug use, and criminal history. The gun store then contacts the NICS with your answers along with your social security number. A felony conviction is the most common reason the background check system would reject an applicant.

These background checks essentially function the same across all 50 states, although some states have a stricter definition of the crimes that can bar an individual from purchasing a firearm, and some states choose to run their own background check in addition to the FBI’s. Otherwise, the NICS has “instant” in its name for a reason; reviewers are able to make an immediate decision in approximately 90 percent of gun purchases. Occasionally, the FBI will require more information about the purchaser’s history to make a decision, something they have three business days to do before the gun dealer can legally sell the weapon through a “default proceed.”

Storing Rifles & Handguns | Proper Firearm Storage Tips

So once you’ve obtained your firearms, how can you store them to maintain their integrity while keeping yourself and your family safe? The two most important things to keep in mind when storing your firearms are preparation and location. Our goal is to first and foremost protect ourselves and others by keeping them secure and away from children, followed by keeping the guns nice, and lastly securing them from intruders. A storage area should be reliable and safe. Here are some DOs and DON’Ts that can help your properly store your firearms:

DO:

• Use a gun safe. This is one of the most secure and accessible ways to store your guns. Additionally, a safe’s interior keeps firearms away from rust, dirt, and moisture.
• Use a silicon-treated gun sock. This is another way to protect your guns from rust and moisture, while the thick fabric protects against scratches and dirt.
• Use gun storage bags. These can protect your firearm from rust, dust, and corrosion while lasting for years.
• Use desiccant or a dehumidifier. By implementing one of the former in your gun storage location, you can prevent moisture from rusting or cracking your guns. 
• Store your rifles barrel-down. This will keep oil from seeping into the stock or other parts of the firearm.

DON’T:

• Use sheep-skin lined cases. They can attract moisture, facilitating the rusting process to begin within 24 hours. Additionally, too much exposure to moisture can cause your stock to crack.
• Use the gun’s original box or any cardboard box. These will weaken excessively over time and attract moisture, threatening the lifespan and quality of your firearm.

Madhouse Design’s Gun Storage Accessories & Systems

In addition to our wide array of performance-enhancing shooting accessories, Madhouse Design offers a number of gun storage systems. These products are perfect for safely mounting handguns on both safe doors and around the house for quick access. We offer a single pistol mount that is capable of mounting a single handgun practically any place you can imagine and arrives with a two-inch pre-drilled mounting rail, swivel body, and pin of the caliber of your choice. Madhouse Design also manufactures a variety of safe door mounts, including a starter pack designed for two handguns, a pro pack designed for 12, and a customizable option that can be tailored to perfectly accommodate your collection. At Madhouse, we believe that proper firearm storage can be just as important as handling techniques, so why go for anything less than the best?

Additional Gun Safety Tips | How to Properly Handle Your Firearm

Now that we’ve addressed proper firearm storage, there are a handful of safety tips to follow anytime you’re handling a gun:

1. Always keep your barrel pointed in a safe direction.
2. Keep your firearm unloaded when not in use.
3. Don’t rely on your gun’s “safety” feature.
4. Be certain of your target and anything behind or around it.
5. Always use the correct ammunition for your firearm.
6. If your gun fails to fire after pulling the trigger, handle it with caution.
7. Wear eye and ear protection when shooting.
8. Before loading, be sure your barrel is clear of obstructions.
9. Familiarize yourself with the mechanics and handling of the firearms you use.

These may seem basic to gun enthusiasts, but they remain tried and true after all these years and continue to be worth passing down to those purchasing their first firearm. As a family-owned firearm accessories manufacturer, we at Madhouse Design want to continue to see the industry flourish. That’s why we believe enhancing the way we store our guns is just as important as enhancing the ways we fire them.