Storing Guns in a Garage

[Mr McMain]

Hi all, quick question. While it's always safest to keep your sub 12 guns in a locked room in your house and having a lock is essential if you have young ones.

I was asked would it be safer to keep them in a locked garage at their home if say just him and and his other half were the only ones with access and they were secured with a chain & padlock? A friend was asking me this question and I had to answer with "I'm not sure mate"

While I don't think there is a legal issue I haven't done much investigation into it can anyone advise?

 

[Big Bob]

I have all my Air rifles & shotguns in my garage wife dint want any in the house but they are all bolted to the floor & wall in 2 gun cabinets had an inspection about 4 months ago by fire arms unit with no issues

 

[oldtommo68]

I put these in mine but there are lots of brands to choose from.

 

[Wing Commander]

The only real problem is keeping the garage warm and dry. . If it gets cold, there is a risk of rust developing.

 

[puffahog]

I have some in the back of a locked van that's been off the road for years inside my mancave. Theyre all covered in silicone oil with rodent bait boxes to keep them company. Theres someone in the yard 24/7 and dogs loose. As a result I dont think there will be any issues unless the dogs start telling the local scumbags about my stash.

 

[John Pembroke]

Mine were kept in garage all year until recently but because of other equipment in garage I had a dehumidifier (a 5 bedroom version) running on auto, no sign of any dampness at all.

 

[Mike Woody Watkins]

The only real problem is keeping the garage warm and dry. . If it gets cold, there is a risk of rust developing.

This ^^^.

Damp and condensation is your worse enemy, especially at the time of year when we have cold nights and warm days.

 

[Vitesse]

I have all my Air rifles & shotguns in my garage wife dint want any in the house but they are all bolted to the floor & wall in 2 gun cabinets had an inspection about 4 months ago by fire arms unit with no issues

Hi. Have you had any issues with damp through the Winter? As in condensation forming with potential for rust. I'm asking because I'm debating keeping mine in the garage. Thanks.

 

[Toe Knee]

I've bought many airguns cheap for parts that have been stored in garages & sheds & sadly ruined by rust & pitting or green mildew stock damage etc so don't forget about them periodically check conditions especially winter!

 

[burtucantbeserious]

Check the Insurance Policy for cover limits to theft payout and if variation for attatched to property or not , yes neglect and rust are an issue

 

[jesim1]

I had mine in an attached garage where my boiler is also located, as a result it was always warmer in there in the winter than outside.

I’ve now moved and my garage is detached, I get condensation on my motorbike, which I’ve now mostly resolved, but I would not keep guns in there now as the potential for rust would be too great.

There will be a dehumidifier in there next winter just to help out.

So as long as it’s safe and secure the summer months will be fine, but avoid winter unless you have taken precautions.

 

[JohnnySweden]

I have my guns in an approved gunsafe inside the house, legal limit guns bolted to the wall in the stairs down to the basement in a lockable wallhanger, except one locked in a drawer. Gun powder ammuition in a small separate safe, also in house.

 

[Johnno]

I am aware firearms must be stored in metal cabinets, but do air rifles need to be?
If so I need to dash out and get one.

 

[RockSolidAlibi]

Hi. Have you had any issues with damp through the Winter? As in condensation forming with potential for rust. I'm asking because I'm debating keeping mine in the garage. Thanks.

Coat the exposed metal work in grease and ideally store in a cardboard or wooden box as they naturally dont condensate as much and help keep the metal dry.

Dont know if this would be so good for airguns but plenty of tools / metal parts keep a very long time if you wrap them in oily rags. Plastic might be an issue if its in contact with oil as some will partially dissolve in it if left a long time

 

[RockSolidAlibi]

I am aware firearms must be stored in metal cabinets, but do air rifles need to be?
If so I need to dash out and get one.

No the law just says secure from under 18’s technically a locked drawer or cupboard would do. I know the police were recommending either approved storage like for licensed kit or a locked metal toolbox or pelicase on there websites when i last checked some years ago.

 

[Johnno]

No the law just says secure from under 18’s technically a locked drawer or cupboard would do. I know the police were recommending either approved storage like for licensed kit or a locked metal toolbox or pelicase on there websites when i last checked some years ago.

Phew, that's a relief. It would have been a challenge explaining to the wife why I need to spend more money on what she sees as a crazy hobby.

 

[Morse]

Mine were kept in garage all year until recently but because of other equipment in garage I had a dehumidifier (a 5 bedroom version) running on auto, no sign of any dampness at all.

I have had one in my garage for years keeps my Caterham dry and all my tools rust free. Have a stat set at around 65%

 

[Bighit]

I am aware firearms must be stored in metal cabinets, but do air rifles need to be?
If so I need to dash out and get one.

No .
Here is the options .

Preventing children from accessing air weapons

It is an offence for a person in possession of an air weapon to fail to take reasonable precautions to prevent a person under the age of 18 from gaining unauthorised access to it.

‘Reasonable precautions’ means that when a child is present an air weapon must be:

stored securely
out of sight
separately from ammunition

There have been several deaths as a result of children getting hold of air weapons. These tragedies might have been prevented had the air weapons been stored safely. Below are some simple steps to reduce the risk:

in many cases, it will be sufficient to store your air weapon in an existing, suitably robust, lockable cupboard - keeping the keys separate and secure
alternatively, you could use a lock or locking device to attach your air weapon to the fabric of a building, or to a fixed feature
or you could use a security cord, lockable chain or similar device attached to a point of anchorage within the building
remember that the air weapon must be out of sight
if you hold other firearms, you could use an existing gun cabinet for your air weapon provided this does not compromise security
you might find it useful to consider some of the security measures suggested for licensed firearms. This information can be found in the Firearms Security Handbook.

Up here in Scotland they have to be under lock and key and not just for under 18s getting access. People with out an Air Weapon Certificate can't have access either if the AWC holder is not present.

I was authorised to fit a wall anchor and cable lock them to it . Some FEOs are demanding cabinets though.

My wall anchor can be had at ScrewFix for a few quid. Bolted to a concete wall with thunderbolts.

It's now in my gun cabinet as I have space now that I did not have whenbthe wall anchor was needed.

As for storing them in a Garage. Some do it and they mitigate the possibility of damage due to temps rising .
Dehumidifier's , anti corrosion sprays and sachets of VCI ( volatile Corrosion Inhibitors) like VP90 from Napier.

 

[Toe Knee]

I am aware firearms must be stored in metal cabinets, but do air rifles need to be?
If so I need to dash out and get one.

No thankfully not yet

 

[Matt@Nearfield]

Surely just easier and more peaceful to keep the kids in the Garage, and the guns in their rooms. Character building.