Storing your firearms the safe way is your duty and responsibility as a gun owner. The sad reality is most of the firearm-related incidents in a household around the world come from accidents. And these unfortunate accidents can be avoided if the owner practices safe weapon storage.
One way to store your handgun safely and securely is to use a gun safety lock. The good thing about this method is that it is not as costly as getting a gun safe; however, this is no excuse for not getting a safe for your weapon. A gun safe will still be the best way to securely store your weapons out of sight.
But if you are looking for something that does not set you back a couple of hundred bucks, a gun safety lock is the way to go. Some people even opt to use a safety lock on their gun even after placing it inside a gun safe. When it comes to security, you can never be too safe.
In this article, we will give you a complete rundown on everything you need to know about this cheap and easy way to keep your weapons safe and secure and reduce the risk of accidents with your firearms. So, without further ado, let us dive in.
What Exactly is a Gun Safety Lock?
Technically speaking, any tool or equipment that contributes to the safety of your weapon and prevent accidental or unauthorized discharge by anyone other than yourself is a gun safety lock. This means even a gun safe can be considered as a gun safety lock as it keeps your weapons out of the hands of others.
However, we are not talking about gun safes. In this instance, we will be sticking with two other form of simple locking system that ensures your weapon cannot be fired unless you are handling it yourself. We will be talking about the gun trigger locks and another simple tool, cable locks.
Cable lock
As we already said, a cable lock is the simpler of the two mechanisms. It is basically a type of padlock where one end goes through the empty mag chamber and penetrates the gun chamber of the handgun. It then comes out of the top of the gun and attaches to the lock through the opening.
You get a key to open the lock when you have to access your weapon. This is an extremely simple yet efficient form of buying some preliminary level of safety for your firearm. The major benefit of this type of lock is that it is very affordable, and almost anyone can afford it.
However, this locking system is not without its flaws. For instance, getting your gun combat ready can take some time. Not only do you have to open up the lock, but you also have to pull back the top of the gun and pull out the cable through the opening. Then you also need to load up the gun with ammunition.
This entire process can take some time, so if you fall under a high-stress situation, you will need a good couple of minutes before you can get to your gun. For some situations, these few minutes might not be available. Furthermore, these padlocks can be broken by any capable burglar. So safety is not that great against burglary either.
Trigger lock
Trigger locks, on the other hand, are much safer compared to a cable lock. They also tend to be quite cheap, which is a plus if you are on a budget. A trigger lock is a contraption that comes with two parts. One part of the unit goes over the trigger guard while the other section fits inside the trigger preventing you from firing it.
There are multiple variations of trigger locks that you can find on the market with a variety of locking mechanisms. In fact, you can even find trigger locks with biometric scanning options if you want to access your weapons faster. But the most common type of trigger lock is a combination locking system.
Although you can keep your weapon loaded when you are using a trigger lock, in most situations, it is not a good idea. One of the basic requirements of gun safety rules is that you keep your weapons unloaded unless necessary. But if you absolutely have to, you can use a trigger lock with a loaded weapon.
A trigger lock gives you a better security in terms of keeping your guns away from intruders. Some high-end models even come with anti-tamper alarms or lockdown features to further cement its security. Depending on the type and design of the trigger lock, you might need to use batteries for it to function.
Are Trigger Locks Enough for Gun Safety?
There are many debates among people regarding the best way to store your firearm. Some argue that a trigger lock is all you need to keep your guns secure, while others say that a gun safe is the only way to ensure proper safety.
Remember, your weapons in the wrong hands can cause severe damages to property or even life. So you need to do everything in your power to keep it safe and locked up.
Sure, a gun safety lock is an affordable tool that can help offer some protection for your weapon. But it is not a gun safe. Keeping your weapon in plain view for all to see is not generally a good idea.
So even if you have a trigger lock, always consider investing in a gun safe in the near future to keep your guns locked up behind a steel wall. That is your best bet to make sure your weapons will stay away from intruders.
Final Thoughts
For people struggling with their budget for their gun security, a gun safety lock is definitely a viable option. With this handy tool, you can take your first steps to ensure a safer environment for your friends and family.