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With firearms ownership and use comes the issue of how to store guns safely and securely. While there is no single set of guidelines for safe storage that fits every home or circumstance, and no security device guaranteed to be one hundred percent successful at all times, there are certain basic steps that every responsible gun owner should take to store their firearms safely.

Before deciding on the approach most appropriate for your situation, take time to evaluate what you hope to accomplish with your particular storage and security approach. Is your main priority to thwart curious children, irresponsible adults, or intruders? While this is a personal decision, the Americans for Gun Safety Foundation urges all gun owners to store firearms unloaded and securely locked up whenever they not in use.

There are varieties of securing and storage devices that can help. Some are designed to keep the firearm from being loaded or fired, but do not prevent the firearm from being handled. Some are containers that hold the firearm out of sight and out of reach.

Locking Devices

Locking devices can be problematic-the Consumer Product Safety Commission recently found that many of the locks currently on the market could be defeated by children. If you have children living in or visiting your home, you should carefully research the safety features of your locking device.

Trigger Locks

Trigger locks are two-piece devices that fit around the trigger and trigger guard. One side has a post that fits into a hole in the other side. Once in place, they prevent access to the trigger. They are secured either by a key or a combination-activated locking mechanism.

Trigger locks must never be used on loaded firearms, because under certain circumstances they can cause the gun to fire. Unfortunately, they also do not prohibit loading the firearm, nor do they keep the firearm from being handled in an irresponsible manner.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently found that many of the locks currently on the market could be defeated by children. If you have children living in or visiting your home, you should carefully research the safety features of your locking device. While there is no national safety standard for gunlocks, the State of California recently adopted very stringent standards for locks that must be met in order for the lock to be sold in California. A list of locks that have been tested and approved is available at http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/fsdcertlist.htm.

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