I recently inherited an antique gun collection from a relative. While I appreciate these historic firearms, I want to make sure I store them properly and legally. Here is what I have learned about safely storing antique guns in compliance with the law.
Research Applicable Local and Federal Gun Laws
The first step is understanding what laws apply to antique gun ownership and storage in my local area and at the federal level.
Local Laws and Regulations
I researched my local city and county laws regarding antique firearms. Some key questions I looked into:
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Are there any restrictions on possession of antique guns in my city?
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Does my county require registration or permits for antique guns?
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Are there any local regulations regarding how antique guns must be stored?
Federal Gun Laws
I also looked into federal laws, especially the National Firearms Act. The key factors from federal law are:
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Ownership and storage of antique firearms made before 1899 are not regulated by federal law.
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Antique guns made after 1899 may be subject to some federal regulations.
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Fully automatic antique firearms (made before 1986) must be registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Evaluate Your Existing Storage Safety
Now that I understood the laws, I critically evaluated the safety of my current antique firearm storage:
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I stored the guns in a secured gun safe to prevent access by children or intruders. This satisfies legal storage requirements.
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The safe has a fire resistant rating to protect the guns from damage.
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I installed the safe in a discreet location in my home so the guns are not visible to visitors.
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I limited access to the safe to only myself via keypad code.
Make Any Needed Storage Improvements
Based on my review, I identified a few areas that needed improvement:
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The safe is not bolted into studs in the wall or floor. I hired a handyman to securely anchor it.
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I will install motion sensor lights outside the room with the safe. This will deter potential thieves.
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I will maintain a written inventory of the antique guns in my collection. This is helpful for insurance purposes if any items are ever stolen.
Handle Antique Guns Safely
When handling my antique guns, I make sure to always follow safe firearm practices:
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I keep my finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
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I always check to make sure the gun is unloaded when handling it.
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I never point antique guns at anything I don't intend to shoot.
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I transport cased antique guns in the trunk of my vehicle for safety.
Safely storing and handling antique guns requires research, vigilance, and common sense. With proper precautions, I can securely enjoy my inherited collection without worries. Let me know if you have any other tips for legally storing antique firearms!