Storing the home defense weapon?

[chessknt]

I am getting a shotgun soon and was wondering how calgunners store their HD weapons. I live with my wife, no kids or roomates.

Given the logistics of a break-in scenario, it would seem prudent to keep it close at hand, loaded, and unlocked, but that seems to run counter to gun safety teachings of keeping a loaded firearm unlocked and out of my supervision during half the day, so I was looking for advice.

Thanks in advance!

[vipuh]

i recently purchased a new benelli for this same purpose. also have g/f over occasionally and no kids ever in my apartment. my g/f is fully knowledgeable on the operations of the weapon, as are all of my friends. i live in a really really bad neighborhood so it's usually always by my side with the following:

-safety on
-magazine full of military 00 buck
-chamber empty

this is the best scenario for me as it helps minimize the chance of an accidental discharge, however still can be quickly accessed in the event of a break-in. also, i'm sure the sound from pumping a shell into the chamber will be enough of a deterrent without ever having to use it.

i realize this may not be the ideal safety scenario and people may hound me for it, but it sure helps me sleep better at night. my apt is small and someone can get from the living room to my bedroom in a matter of seconds, so i would rather be loaded and ready to go than caught trying to load shells while still trying to wake up.

my 2 cents

[corrupt]

I don't think many people will uhh hound you for that. Just as long as kids can't get to it (which would be illegal on your part), I don't see a problem.

[NSR500]

My primary HD guns are not stored when I'm home. In Texas I essentially have my gun with me at all times. California is a different story...

[JDay]

Buy a gun cabinet or safe to lock it in when you're not at home. Keep it loaded and where you can quickly get to it when you are home.

[DaveFJ80]

I bought a gunvault that I'll keep my Glock in (mag out but next to it to quickly put in... don't need an accidental discharge when pulling the gun out in a stress situation). That's bolted down nearby my bed.

My Benelli shotgun stays loaded but no chambered, safety on, with a master lock combo trigger lock that I can quickly take off. I mounted some hanging brackets on the inside of my closet, right above the sliding doors. Unless you stick your head into my closet and look up & backwards, you're not going to see it. And you either need a step ladder or be tall to reach up there and grab it.

I have an infant in the house, so no 'kids' yet to worry about going through my room and stuff. But I do have nosey nephew/neices that like to go through everything when they are over, so I keep things out of sight and out of reach. My wife is fully aware of what's there if I'm out of town for work, and I've shown her how to use each gun so she's familiar with how they work and what to expect if/when she shoots them.

[XYZ]

I think there was another thread (probably a few threads) about this. Its fine when you're at home but during the day you should have it locked and in a safe -the reason is if you were robbed then it would be a grab and go scenario. As long as you did your part to lock it up and a crime was committed with it you'll be okay. Not sure about not having it locked and a crime was committed with it. Others can answer to that. If you're worried about home invasion you should also be worried about a break in which is far more likely. You should get a safe.

[xibunkrlilkidsx]

when home safe is left open just run handle and drop safety on handgun.

[punkur67]

I keep my 9mm on the night stand with a full mag and no round in the chamber and the safety off. No kids of course and the gf is very aware it the safe handling of it. . If there is not a chambered round then you will not have an acidental discharge.

[chessknt]

My issue with switching between having the HD weapon in a safe when im not home/out when I am is that I work very long hours and am very tired when I get home. I sometimes forget to turn lights off/take my contacts out etc because I am so exhausted. I can easily see myself forgetting to pull the switch and be confused/screwed in the event that I needed it and forgot to do so.

[XYZ]

It only takes one home invasion or one break in where someone uses your weapon in another crime that will cause one to alter one's behaviour. I can't speak to your situation or experience but peace of mind goes a long way in playing it safe and keep your guns locked up when not at home.

[CaliforniaLiberal]

i recently purchased a new benelli for this same purpose. also have g/f over occasionally and no kids ever in my apartment. my g/f is fully knowledgeable on the operations of the weapon, as are all of my friends. i live in a really really bad neighborhood so it's usually always by my side with the following:

-safety on
-magazine full of military 00 buck
-chamber empty

this is the best scenario for me as it helps minimize the chance of an accidental discharge, however still can be quickly accessed in the event of a break-in. also, i'm sure the sound from pumping a shell into the chamber will be enough of a deterrent without ever having to use it.

i realize this may not be the ideal safety scenario and people may hound me for it, but it sure helps me sleep better at night. my apt is small and someone can get from the living room to my bedroom in a matter of seconds, so i would rather be loaded and ready to go than caught trying to load shells while still trying to wake up.

my 2 cents

Welcome to CalGuns Vipuh!

[traptrix]

My issue with switching between having the HD weapon in a safe when im not home/out when I am is that I work very long hours and am very tired when I get home. I sometimes forget to turn lights off/take my contacts out etc because I am so exhausted. I can easily see myself forgetting to pull the switch and be confused/screwed in the event that I needed it and forgot to do so.

Keep it in a CA approved storage container, preferably a safe when you are not at home. Do you really want to give someone the chance to use it steal it when you aren't home?
Once you've got it you will surely remember to take it out the safe when you get home. If the shotgun is in exactly the same place every single day you will remember where it is, if you can't remember where you put it because you are too tired maybe you shouldn't get it.
A shotgun is not a light switch and really shouldn't be compared to one.

[plankowner]

I keep my guns loaded with meat night no children around but locked up during the day

[CaliforniaLiberal]

I keep my guns loaded with meat night no children around but locked up during the day

Took me a little while to decode this one. I was thinking 'Hamburger in a muzzle loader??'

I keep my guns loaded with me at night no children around but locked up during the day