Confirm the firearm storage law where you live
This step only covers storing firearms you already hold legally. Laws differ hugely between and within countries, and breaking storage rules can cost you your licence or lead to prosecution.
How
- Find your national and state or provincial firearm storage law and read it, or ask your licensing authority.
- Example, UK: firearm and shotgun certificates carry a condition to store guns securely so unauthorised people cannot reach them. The Home Office Firearms Security Handbook gives police guidance on how; it says it is not a statement of the law.
- Example, USA (Massachusetts): state law requires a firearm not under the owner's control to be locked in a container or fitted with an engaged tamper-resistant lock.
- Example, USA (California): the state Department of Justice runs a roster of approved firearm safety devices that must accompany most firearm sales. Separately, state gun safe standards (made under Penal Code 23650) set minimum steel thickness, a lock with at least 10,000 combinations and at least three steel locking bolts, or accept a safe certified to the UL Residential Security Container standard.
- Example, Australia (New South Wales): police guidance requires ammunition to be stored separately from firearms in a locked container or locked compartment, with keys not kept with the firearms.
- Keep your licence, permits and any storage inspection records with your documents. Be ready for lawful inspection by the licensing authority.
Do these first
Sources
- Firearms Security Handbook 2020 (accessible version). UK Home Office, accessed 2026-11
- General Laws c.140 s.131L: Weapons, storage. Massachusetts Legislature (USA), accessed 2026-11
- Regulations: Firearm Safety Device Program. California Department of Justice (USA), accessed 2026-11
- Ammunition Safe Storage Fact Sheet. NSW Police Force (Australia), accessed 2026-11
- Cal. Code Regs. tit. 11, s. 4100: Gun safe standards. Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, accessed 2026-11