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These are the most commonly asked questions about gun safes that we’ve heard over the years and today we’re here to answer them.
Table of Contents:
- Are gun safes fireproof?
- Are gun safes worth the money?
- Are gun safes airtight?
- Are gun safes effective ? / Do gun safes work?
- Do gun safes need to be bolted down?
- How much are gun safes?
- What gun safes are the best?
- Do gun safes need dehumidifiers?
- Are gun safes tax free?
- Are gun safes EMP free?
Let’s dive in!
Are gun safes fireproof?
When you see the fireproof rating on a gun safe it is telling you how long the safe will keep the air inside of the safe at or below 350° Fahrenheit.
When the temperature hits 405°, paper will begin to become charred and if the temperature increases above 500° your guns could be damaged.
So, the “fireproof” rating on the safe is really telling you how long it can maintain an internal temperature that will protect what is inside.
That means if the fire burns around your safe for longer than the time it is rated for then it probably won’t be protected what’s inside.
Therefore, when you buy a safe, don’t just look for the word “fireproof”, instead look for the time period that it will be able to resist that higher temperature.
Are gun safes worth the money?
Anytime you are talking about something being “worth the money” it is really a personal opinion, but here is what a gun safe can do:
- Stop your weapons from getting into the hands of a criminal during a break-in
- Protect your weapons if your house is on fire
- Stop children (your own or others) from getting their hands on a weapon, which could save their lives
When looking at the list, we would have to say that in our opinion a gun safe is well worth the money that you are spending on it.
As a gun owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that you are handling and protecting your guns and other people properly.
Are gun safes airtight?
What many gun safes claim is that the safe becomes airtight when it reaches a certain temperature the seals close around the door.
Other than that, your safe is most not likely airtight and you probably don’t want it to be.
You need airflow in order to remove moisture and humidity from your safe, however, it is still recommended that you have some type of moisture protection inside your safe.
This could be a through a dehumidifier like the popular “Golden Rod” or through the use of Silica packets.
You can add additional sealant around the inside of your door if it does not come with it, but it’s always best to have an additional form of protection from moisture inside your safe as well to protect against corrosion.
Are gun safes effective? / Do gun safes work?
This really involves you doing a little research on the safe that you are looking at buying.
Essentially, if you buy a safe that is not easy for someone to steal from your house or easily break into, then it is doing its job.
For it to really be as effective as possible, you want one that is heavy enough that if someone breaks into your house they aren’t just going to carry it out the front door under their arm.
If you have a smaller safe, consider bolting it down to the floor. As long as your safe has a locking mechanism that works your children shouldn’t be able to get into it if they don’t know the code or have access to the key.
Do gun safes need to be bolted down?
The answer to this question really depends on the type of safe that you own. Some gun safes are used for traveling. In that case, you obviously don’t want to bolt it down anywhere.
There are other safes that are designed to keep your gun safe while it is at your bedside such as in the drawer of your nightstand.
However, these safes can potentially be stolen.
While it still keeps your gun from easily being accessed within your home by someone it shouldn’t be, it can still be stolen and later used without your consent.
If you want to make sure your guns don’t go anywhere then you need a safe that is bolted down.
How much are gun safes?
There is a large range in the price of gun safes. While there are some that are more affordable, you do want to remember the old saying “you get what you pay for”.
While price is a consideration for most people, you do want to consider what the safe is offering you for that price.
If you are simply looking for a small safe to stop your child from getting their hands on the one handgun that you have in your house then there are safes for as little as $20.
However, this will not stop a robber from taking your gun with them when they leave your house, and it may not protect your gun in the event of a fire.
If you have a lot of weapons you are looking to protect from anyone and anything then you are easily going to spend thousands of dollars on a safe, but they will be protected.
There is no straight answer to this question. Determine why you want a safe, what you need it to do, and then start looking for what the price range is for the type of safe you are looking for.
What gun safes are the best?
There are a lot of different gun safes on the market and everyone has their own opinion.
Some of the popular brands of gun safes are GunVault, Steelwater, Vaultek, Winchester, and Liberty. You can see another review on some of the best gun safes here.
Do gun safes need dehumidifiers?
In a simple answer—yes! Dehumidifiers protect your gun(s) from the moisture that causes corrosion.
Goldenrod is a popular type of electric dehumidifier and at the very least you will want Silica packets. Many gun owners prefer to put both in just in case.
What about taxes?
Are gun safes tax-free?
The answer to this question depends on what state you live in. Many states have been working to make gun safes free from sales tax in an effort to help more gun owners purchase safes.
The big pushes for these changes began with the increase of school shootings and mass shootings. Gun safes help protect guns from getting in the hands of children and those that have mental health issues.
Are gun safes EMP safe?
EMP stands for electro-magnetic pulse. If you have a gun safe with an electronic lock your safe will not work in case of an EMP event.
However, most safes even with electronic locks tend to have a key entry for backup. If your safe doesn’t or you aren’t sure where it is (some involve you removing digital keypads first) do a little research to find out the options on your safe.
Contact the manufacturer.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading our gunsafe FAQ. If you have any more questions, please leave them in the comments section below!
