Firearm Safety in the Home

Firearm safety does not end when you return home. Instead we are presented with a whole new set of challenges to address. To help you remember these guidelines, the NSSF has a Safe Home Checklist:

• Sporting firearms are unloaded before they are brought into the home and never loaded while in the home.
• Sporting firearms are immediately cleaned and placed in a secure storage when they are returned from hunting or target shooting.
• Firearms are securely stored in a location inaccessible to children and other unauthorized persons.
• When firearms are removed from storage, they are always carefully checked to confirm they are unloaded.
• Firearms kept for security reasons are fully controlled at all times.
• Ammunition is stored under lock and key, separately from firearms.
• The owner’s manual that came with the firearm must be read and understood.

We are all aware of the importance of ensuring that our firearms are securely stored out of the reach of children and other unauthorized individuals. We know that firearms should be stored cleaned, unloaded and with the ammunition separate. But while we are out of town on a hunt, either camping or staying in a motel it is important to remember that these guidelines still apply.

When on extended hunting trips your tent, RV or hotel room now represent your home and firearms should be unloaded, cleaned and secured when returning to base. To secure your firearms away from your primary residence, you can use locking gun cases or trigger locks or cable locks on your firearms and secure your ammunition in lock boxes.