Importance of Having a Gun Safe
Do you own guns? Do you keep them at home? If you answered yes to these questions, you need to get yourself a gun safe! All guns should be secured properly; loaded or not. You can protect your guns from theft, damage and the elements by securing them in a locking cabinet. You can protect yourself, your loved ones and guests at the same time. Gun safes are not just for avid gun enthusiasts; they are for anyone desiring a secure place to keep their weapons away from horseplay, home invaders, domestic problems and burglars.
What a gun safe is
A gun safe is a locking container or cabinet that is usually made of metal or wood. They come in various sizes and styles. You can add a gun safe to your home or to your commercial space or executive office. Most of our Caledonia Locksmith customers have us install a gun safe at their residence and this action follows a national trend for gun protection at home. Each person thinking about adding a gun safe should evaluate what their reasons are. Is it to protect your weapons? Is your goal to secure your guns from children or intruders? Do you want to showcase your guns? Would you like your guns to be visible yet not easily accessible by others? Maybe you’d like a combination of all of the above. Here in Caledonia, WI there are many sources to purchase a gun safe from including gun shops, sporting goods stores, flea markets, estate sales and locksmith shops.
Locks those guns up!
Every year, people are shot either by design or by accident, and the weapon involved was their own. Having loose guns lying around is a bad idea. Many people think that having fast access to their weapons is a good idea. They visualize an armed intruder attacking them in the privacy of their own home. Naturally the answer to this dilemma is to be able to fight back and what better way to do this than to simply reach for an already loaded weapon and return fire?
It’s not that simple. Even experienced gun owners can have shooting accidents and if guests, children or neighbors get hold of a loaded weapon, the results can be disastrous! Horsing around and drinking often lead to someone getting hurt or killed by mishandling a loaded weapon. The idea is that if a gun is secured in a locked gun safe, the homeowner is helpless against an assailant who already has his or her weapon in hand and ready to use.
One of the many concerns that people have about gun safes is key access. What if theirs is not handy or even accessible? If the gun safe is secured by a dial combination or a keypad, what about suddenly forgotten combinations during the stress of the moment? These all are valid questions and are worthy of an explanation. We recommend speaking to a licensed, bonded and insured, full-service locksmith professional. They will be able to recommend the proper placement and gun safe models for you to be able to quickly and easily arm yourself should the unthinkable happen.
Gun safe model options
You have a huge selection of gun safe models, sizes and materials to choose from. From lightweight to heavy duty options; there is something for every need and budget. You also have a large choice of locking mechanisms to consider. Keypads, dial combination locks, padlocks, and even biometric entry systems are possible options for you.
You are not limited to guns!
That’s right; your gun safe can double as a home safe and that means putting other, non-gun items inside of it. You store ammunition, cash, important documents, passports, flash drives, gift cards, birth certificates, and anything else of value that you would like to “sock away” for safekeeping or later use. We know of one customer that locks vintage books inside along with their appraisals and purchase documentation. Old gun cabinets can store vintage dishes and crystal goblets as well as other collectibles for security or display reasons. Use your imagination and you’ll discover dozens of uses for your gun safe that may or may not involve firearms.
Where to buy your next gun safe
Gun safes can be new, gently-used, rebuilt or restored and still serve their purpose. You can always go to a gun store and simply purchase their recommendation. Keep in mind that the gun store owner will outsource set-up and delivery, and any future maintenance and service needed for it. Going this route will entail paying middle man fees but you can get everything done with one visit or phone call to the store.
Can I buy used?
Yes, you can. Gun safes are sold and re-sold all the time. Check online or at flea markets, yard sales and estate auctions. Buying used through EBay or Craigslist might save you money but you won’t get professional advice or expertise thrown into the purchase and you may have to arrange for your own set up and delivery. If your newly acquired gun safe requires repair or adjustment, you’ll most likely need to call a locksmith anyway so why not just use one from beginning to end?
A full service locksmith – your best choice!
Your local locksmith shop that specializes in full service residential or commercial locks is our recommendation. Their pricing will be better than most gun stores and the locksmiths know and understand your gun safe wants and needs as well as concerns. This way you’ll be able to get all of your questions answered by the very professionals that work with gun safes on a regular basis. Another great aspect of going through a locksmith professional for your gun safe is the maintenance and service part. Gun store owners usually outsource repairs and upkeep to the very locksmiths that you could call in the first place! Save yourself time and money and just call a certified lock professional for sales, service, installation and repair.