Gun ownership is fairly common in the US with around 32 percent of adults acknowledging they own one. Of course, when you buy a gun, it creates a number of other considerations.
For example, you should learn about the safe handling of a weapon as a gun owner. Fortunately, you can find gun safety training courses in most communities or in nearby communities.
Beyond safe handling, there is also the matter of marksmanship. Hitting what you aim at is crucial.
What about when you’re not actively using the gun? Do you have a handle on gun storage? If you don’t feel confident in that area, keep reading for five gun storage tips to help you get started.
1. Secure Storage
One of the most important elements of how to store a gun is the secure storage of the weapon. In 2021, there were more than 340 accidental shootings by children. While secure storage doesn’t provide 100 percent prevention of the problem, it drastically reduces the odds.
You can get lockboxes for handguns that use everything from keys to secure codes and biometrics. For rifles, you minimally need a locking cabinet, although a gun safe is preferable.
2. Desiccants
Wherever you ultimately store your gun, you will want some kind of desiccant stored with the weapon. A desiccant helps remove water from the air near the gun, which helps prevent rust and corrosion.
As an alternative, you can use a gun storage bag designed to prevent corrosion.
Are you wondering, “Does ammo go bad in humidity and need similar precautions?” As a general guideline, ammo won’t go bad in humid conditions. You should, however, also store it in a secure place.
3. Clean Your Gun
You should always clean your gun before putting it away for storage. The residue inside your barrel after firing can sometimes corrode your barrel. Cleaning helps preserve the gun.
4. Leave the Gun Uncocked
You should always store guns in an uncocked state. Leaving the weapon cocked during storage puts unnecessary pressure on springs, as well as on other internal components of the weapon.
5. Don’t Crowd the Gun
When you already own a gun safe, there is a temptation to just keep putting each new gun in the same safe. That’s a great way for your guns to end up with dings or scratches. While those dings and scratches don’t pose an immediate problem, they can act as entry points for rust and corrosion.
Gun Storage and You
Gun storage is often an afterthought for new gun owners. They get focused on buying the gun and don’t consider what they’ll do with it once they get it home.
Start with arrangements for storing the gun securely in a lockbox or a gun safe. Get a gun cleaning kit so you can clean the weapon after using it and before storing it. Find a desiccant you can safely store with the gun to prevent corrosion.
Store the gun uncocked and don’t crowd it.
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