Gun Storage

[calixt0]

Ok guys, I have seen several people post on here that people are either leaving state for a few years or have a temp restraining order or having guests or etc etc. that people have asked if there was a company to store guns while people were not able to keep them. I am thinking about starting a business that does exactly this. Maybe even store so people who don't want to store at home could keep at a location between range trips.

I would assume this would be a business where I would need to be an FFL so that would be an issue and at first would be a business that is by appointment only. I know local police would have to know what was happening so as to not freak them out. there would have to be insurance involved as well. what else would I need to look into?

I know fees will be an issue? What would you think would be a monthly fee that would be reasonable? I would want to make it as a secure storage so that people with temp restraining orders didn't have to see or give away weapons until conviction at which point i would serve as a ppt ffl as well. I would not want to take ownership so people could take and shoot their weapons if they so desired and then return them. Also would want to be able to guarantee a return of weapons to men and women serving if storage was needed even if I needed to close my doors due to lack of business. I would never want to be a part of someone not getting their property back unless they refused to pay or something of that nature.

I'm sure this would some how turn into a used gun sales for people who didn't pay or come to pick up firearms. Also would want a way for instant check of stolen guns as well as not storing for felons or anything illegal.

What I'm basically thinking is a "coat check" for guns.

I am assuming there would need to be at least 2 levels of storage. 1 just plain storing the second a secure storage for those with R.O.'s so they could show leo's that guns were no longer in their possession and couldn't be returned until proof of RO is no longer in effect.

let me know what you all think and even who I would talk to about possibly getting something like this started.

[thempopresense]

A Pawn shop does that already. Bring your guns in, get dirt cheap value on them, and a chance to buy them back before a certain time period. You either needed longer term storage, or the right to offload what hasn't been picked up to make room for more.

[Curtis]

Calixt0

Not a bad business idea. I don't think you would need to be an FFL with the possible exception of the RO storage. But I'm not about the legal issues with an RO.

I would think you would want to run it like a safety deposit box for guns. Each person has a key for their storage area. An RO could place their things in the box, lock it and put a tag with a serial number so you could prove you didn't open the box. And they you keep the keys.

If you are an FFL, then you would need to notify the PD, otherwise I don't see any legal reason to notify them. I would want them to know exactly what I was doing for two reasons: they could send clients my way and they can keep an extra close eye on the business.

Start up cost would be high. You would need to invest in the storage boxes as well as top of the line security. You would also need to upgrade some of the typical TI work in most offices. Commercial space wouldn't be a big issue.

You would be able to get insurance, but it would be very pricey to cover the stored items. I would think there would be away to make the owners assume responsibility. I'm sure a good lawyer could work out those details.

You would need a very gun lawyer to look into the issues of taking/selling guns for unpaid balances.

I think you have a great idea.

[MiguelS]

Good idea...I am sure it will hit off.

Insurance should ebe optional.

I am going to throw my two pistols in my bank's safety deposit box. Only bad thing is that is only open during normal business house.

For a large box, I think it was a 12x17x4 in it ws $80 a year.

Should consider automatic payments from a CC as well with release of weapon upon full payment of course.

[calixt0]

A Pawn shop does that already. Bring your guns in, get dirt cheap value on them, and a chance to buy them back before a certain time period. You either needed longer term storage, or the right to offload what hasn't been picked up to make room for more.

I was thinking a more long term solution than what a pawn shop offers (as far as I know of).


Eng417... I like the individual lock box idea... could very price based on size... enough for 1 handgun $x per month... 2 xx per month 1 had 1 long xxx per month...or just 1 fee per gun per month no matter what.

[Curtis]

Calixt0

Go to your bank and check out their system. My bank had a very cool biometric system.

As for storage, you could have different types of storage as well as different sizes. You could have a cage area for general storage. The thing I don't like about this is it would be open to employees. If the client locks it in a their box, no one else can see or touch it.

As MiguelS suggests, some people may want variety in the business hours. If it is by appointment, you would be running back and forth all day long and into the night. Providing individual access would increase the security risk significantly.

I see this idea working best with an existing business. Something like a range or gun shop. Or maybe a sporting good store.