Long-term storage/ safety question

J

Jackie

Inactive
I'll be in Europe for several months, later this year, and I am wondering about options for storing my handguns while I am gone.

I rent and will give up my apartment and pack up my things and place them in a rented storage facility while I am gone. My plan is to lock the three guns in a portable vault and cable lock it to some part of the storage space.

Is this safe? I haven't gotten a storage space yet, and haven't read any rental contracts, so I don't know if firearms would be prohibited or if I would be required to notify the storage company about the guns. (Not sure if it is pertinent but I am in Washington state.)

Any input, other options or ideas are welcome.

Thanks!
 
If it was me, and you're only talking about 3 handguns, I would look into renting a safety deposit box in a bank and placing them in there, assuming it isn't illegal.
 
I had that same problem a few years ago when I deployed overseas. Luckily, I had an OIC who really liked me and held my guns for me. About 3 years back when I renovated the house, I gave my guns to brother to hold for 6 months. I agree, I'd rather trust a friend or family member before resorting to a storage company. I just don't trust their security.
 
Use a safety deposit box.
Be sure to pay atleast 1 year longer then you think you will need it.The cost is cheap and paying upfront for your total time will avoid any possible issues.
Get three cloth gun cases.Put the guns in them before you get to the bank.Place them in a briefcase or laptop bag to transport to bank.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=165293
Spare mags and holsters...ect. can go in the storage area.
 
avoid long term storage places like the rent a garage you mentioned for weapons. if you cant store it in a safe deposit box investigate a shooting club that rents out safe boxes to member so you can get it in a secure building. if that isnt possible in your area, find a relative to store it with.
 
I'd heed the advice above, and if all else fails...

I would rather sell my guns (if all I had were 3 handguns with little sentimental value) than risk putting them in a storage unit...
 
Thanks for the input

I seem to remember noticing something about "no firearms" in the safety deposit box contract. I'll have to recheck this, as I'm not aware of any state or federal law prohibiting it and I don't see how they would know unless they looked in the box, and they are not supposed to do that - in fact, I've heard they take pains not to, to avoid any liability issues.

Family is across the country and I hesitated about asking friends as most of them don't know I carry, and I didn't want to start that conversation.

I'll look into ranges with storage.

Thanks for the input!
 
If all else fails and you have no choice but to store in some sort of public rent-a-box, make sure you pay for a few more months than you think you'll need.

I use to buy these storage contents at auction and some of the stuff I found in them were unbelievable. There is no way people would have abandoned some of that stuff on purpose.

Delays happen and if a job runs too long, or your orders are changed and you are extended overseas, you might forget about the storage container for awhile.

Also, Please make a list of everything you have in the storage container along with the approximate value (Pictures if possible) and send the list to a relative that would be willing to handle any insurance claims that might have to be filed. (For awhile it seemed the pass time around the nearest town was breaking into these units and ripping off the owners.)

Sometimes if you talk to the bank executive and explain you situation to him/her they will make exceptions and allow you to store them in the bank safety deposit boxes. Tell them they have some sort of collector value or sentimental value, you will not be trying to store ammo with the guns, etc...

I really hope you enjoy your trip. This is one thing you should not have to worry about while you are gone.
 
For handguns, I'd rent a saftety deposit box, like others have suggested. I'd probably use it for more than just guns, too.

The problem is long guns - what can you really do? If you have a sizeable collection that pretty much takes up an entire gun safe, and if we are talking an extended period of time - 6months to a year, this is probably what I'd do:

1. I have an area in my house that is an entire wall of closets.

2. I would place a good quality gunsafe inside of that closet area and bolt it to the floor. Then, I'd stuff all of my valuables inside of my gunsafe.

3. Next step would be to completely drywall the safe inside these closets (it's hard to describe, but the way the closets are configured in my house, I can do this and it would look completely natural. Then, I'd put a coat of paint on the inside of the closet. DO THIS YOURSELF AND TELL NO ONE!!!

4. Put all of the junk back inside of the closets.

5. Buy a cheap "Sam's Club" safe and use it as a decoy - load it up with stuff that might appear valuable, but really isn't - cheap watches, gold plated jewlery, fake Will, etc., and put it in a not too inconspicuous place.

6. Consider purchasing an alarm and monitoring service.

No thief is going to go through your house looking for stuff between drywall, when there appears to be some other goodies laying around, unless that thief knows what you have and where you have it.
 
there is no way in the world the bank will know what you have in the safety deposit

box... unless something happens to you and the bank manager and the executor of your estate have to open it together....

I'd go this route and measure the box once you pay for it to make sure and how you will store the 3 handguns with as little effort and trouble as possible......

then the question is where do you keep the key?
 
Otra vez:
Safe deposit box for the guns! They'll be there when you return for them. It's climate controlled, too. No rust or whatever.
 
Assuming the guns are not particularly valuable collectors items, place them in a lock box (sealed in plastic with some drying agents inside) inside a cardboard box, top off with paperback books, place at the bottom of the stack in the storage unit, marked 'BOOKS". Make sure you are paid-up for longer than you think you will be gone. My local storage units prohibit flammable chemicals and the like but not firearms per say. They may not like ammunition, so shoot it up before you leave. Yes, there is some small chance of all your stuff taking a walk on you, but the loss of $1000 to $1500 in guns is not much compared to an entire household worth of stuff. If they are valuable collectors items I would go with the bank deposit box. I am also assuming you are getting a storage unit for the rest of you stuff in any case.
 
I've left firearms in storage units for up to two years without being touched. Nothing special done to them. Left in a locking aluminum case and locking Pelican case. Ask the rental storage place to charge your credit card monthly on the payment. Make sure the payment occurs each month (online or paper statement).
 
Off the wall suggestion

When I got otders to come to Alaska, I took my guns with me in my car. When I got to Montana, I disassembled them all and shipped the serial numbred parts FFL to FFL and carried the cylinders, slides, grips, etc with my through Canada (No problems at the border. I asked when I got there, told them what I did and they let me through. Of course, that was in 1979.)

So, my suggestion is to separate your guns into two piles. Serial numbered parts stored one place and all other parts stored another. If Someone should steal one pile, they will not be much use and gunsmiths who get asked for parts may well report it if they suspect foul play.

I don't know if it is worth anything, but it is something to think about.

Pack with a dessicant to keep moisture at a minimum. When I packed my Dan Wesson up for a few years, I vacuum packed the parts in petroleum jelly. They came out fine.

Lost Sheep
 
Another option...

Many gunshops will store firearms in their safes, for a small charge. Your guns will be as safe as theirs. There will be a paperwork trail of some kind, and (not sure under current law) if you will have to pass the NICS to get them returned or not. However, if both you and your guns are fully in compliance with the laws, this should pose no problem.
 
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