Firearm Safety Tips: Safe Storage Practices That Protect Your Family

Key Takeaways

• Unsecured firearms are the leading cause of unintentional firearm injuries in the home.
• Quick-access safes allow you to secure your firearm while keeping it accessible for home defense.
• Every adult in your household should understand your storage system.
• Ammunition should be stored separately from firearms whenever possible, especially with children.
• New Mexico law does not mandate specific storage requirements for most adults, but responsible storage is both a legal safeguard and a moral obligation.

Understanding Your Storage Options

• Trigger Locks and Cable Locks: low-cost, better than nothing; prevent firing but not removal. Best as a secondary layer.
• Quick-Access Safes: the gold standard for a home defense firearm. PIN pad, biometric reader, or RFID. Look for solid steel body, pry-resistant door, reliable lock, and a backup PIN.
• Full-Size Gun Safes: the most comprehensive solution for multiple firearms. UL-listed fire rating, 10-gauge steel minimum, four+ locking bolts. Bolt it down.

Storing Ammunition Safely

Store in a cool, dry location. In homes with children, store ammunition separately. For a home defense firearm in a quick-access safe, it is reasonable to keep it loaded - the safe is the barrier.

Having the Conversation at Home

Every adult should know where the firearm is stored and how to access it. Children should be taught that firearms are not toys.

Training Application

• Audit your current storage setup.
• Practice accessing your quick-access safe in the dark.
• Have a storage conversation with every adult.
• Enroll in a firearms safety or home defense course.