Each one of us wants to do our best to keep our family and property safe, and if that means learning how to use weapons, so be it! In a world where danger from others is more probable than ever before, it is a wise choice to have at least the very basics in terms of weapons on hand. Of course, you hope you never have to use them, but knowing they are there and that you have the ability to put them to use adds great peace of mind.
Of course, you may use your weapons in your regular hobby; perhaps you go hunting or shooting, which is a great way of keeping your skills up where experience is concerned. Still, those weapons when at home could be the difference between life and death, so you need to keep them in top condition, and have them readily available.
You don’t want them to be readily available to all the family however; the consequences of a gun and ammunition – or even a knife or bow – coming into the hands of a child or inexperienced youngsters do not bear thinking about. You will undoubtedly train your children in the use of the weapons, but also instill in them that they are not to be taken without permission, or used without supervision.
This is why storage of your weapons is one of the most important considerations you must think about. You need to be sure you – and others who are trained in their use – can access guns, knives and other weaponry easily, but others can’t. You also want to keep your weapons hidden from intruders. Let’s have a look at five essential points to consider when it comes to storing weapons safely and securely.
Not Just Guns!
When we talk about weapons your thoughts most likely turn to guns. If you’re reading this, the chances are you own a handgun or rifle, and that is your primary weapon. There are other weapons that are equally important, and some that are essential in certain situations.
Knives, for example, can be essential in close one-on-one combat; if an assailant does get right up to you, having a knife handy may be the difference between life and death. It is also a very useful tool to have around if you find you are out in the wild and need weapons and implements to survive. We’re talking about smaller commando-type knives; they are cheap to buy, durable and very useful, and can inflict a lot of damage if you use them correctly. They are, of course, no use in a gun fight, so you need to keep them close to hand as a last resort.
Machetes are also handy, but perhaps more for survival in the wild than for a fight. They can cause damage but are larger and unwieldy, and also very obvious and sometimes heavy. For cutting your way through a forest or other rough areas, a machete is a very useful too indeed, but you must never let one fall into the hands of children – the damage they can do to themselves with one is unthinkable.
Many survivalists like the idea of a crossbow, and with good reason. Crossbows are very quiet and allow you to fire off an accurate – if you are in range – and powerful bolt stealthily, so you should treat it as a first-strike weapon. Once your opponent knows you have a bow, they will find you quickly, so beware of this problem.
Axes and hatchets are also useful for survival purposes, but have limited use in combat, so we’re back to guns. Whether you prefer a handgun or an assault rifle, there is no doubt that firearms are the survival weapon you really must have. Some people don’t like guns; it pays to get used to using one even if you will only do so in an emergency, as it can be the last line of defense for your property and family. It’s also a very useful weapon for if you need to hunt or scavenge for food.
So, back to those five essentials for storage – here are our tips that we think should help.
1: Gun Safes – you need a gun safe if you have guns, period. You can buy them with key locks, with combination locks or both, and even with biometric access systems whereby they need your fingerprint to open them. Made from strong and thick metal, check for those with secure hinges inside – they are difficult to get into without the right access.
2: Hiding Places – you don’t want your gun safe, or your weapons, in plain site; find a place where intruders will not look – perhaps under a kitchen unit or such, or in a basement – yet one that is easy for you and others in the house to get to, as you may need to get your weapons quickly. Or perhaps you could place them strategically, which brings us to…
3: Outdoor Hidden Weapons – if defending a perimeter is your aim, have weapons – most useful are guns and knives – hidden at strategic places around the property. Use water-tight gun boxes (they are not expensive and are very useful) and perhaps bury them at intervals. This way, you are never far away from a spare gun.
4: Care and Maintenance – if you own guns you are probably attached to them and will carry out regular maintenance and cleaning. If you’re new to guns, this is something you will need to learn, as guns do need regular cleaning and checking in order to keep them in working order. It also helps you get to know your guns better.
5: Safety First – you keep your weapons for protection and survival; do all you can to instill into the younger members of the family the dangers of handling weapons incorrectly, and make sure they cannot get their hands on your weapons by mistake.
The added peace of mind that comes with having well-maintained weapons in easy to reach yet secure places is one you cannot replicate – so have a think about how best to store your weapons using the tips above.
