Best Places to Put a Gun Safe – Bedrooms, Basements, Garages

“Where do I put a gun safe?” This is the question that every gun owner asks themselves when they purchase their first firearm. The best place to put a gun safe depends on your needs and living situation. In this article, we will discuss three of the most popular places to store firearms: bedroom, basement, and garage.

Considerations: Quick Access or Long-term Storage

Before deciding where to put your safe, first you need to know what you’re using it for. A quick access safe is designed to be opened and accessed within a few seconds, while long-term storage safes are used for firearms that won’t be touched for months or years.

A bedroom gun safe can provide quick access if it’s mounted on the wall near your bed so you don’t have to waste time fumbling around looking for it in the event of a a home invasion. Obviously, this problem isn’t going to be a huge 24 gun safe.

On the other hand, your largest safe with most of your guns can be located anywhere in the house without too much concern about making self-defense more difficult. So, let’s consider a few of the options for a large safe.

Pros and Cons of Putting a Safe in a Bedroom Closet

When you’re home, it’s possible for unauthorized people to know where your guns are stored and gain access when you aren’t around. A gun safe in a bedroom closet can be an excellent option if all family members follow strict guidelines about locking the door when someone besides the owner isn’t home.

It does have the advantage of being in an air-conditioned space where humidity is less of a problem.

Pros and Cons of Putting a Gun Safe in the Basement

Let’s just get this one out of the way:

Stairs!

Moving a large gun safe up or down stairs is not a joyful experience even if you drink egg shakes every morning. And, it can be downright expensive if you have to hire movers. 

Know why else the basement isn’t a good place?

If you have a gun safe in the basement, even if it’s bolted to concrete flooring, there is always the possibility of flooding. A leaking pipe or other disaster could destroy your firearms collection unless they are moved far away from any water source.

And even if there isn’t an accident, basements tend to have higher humidity levels anyway, potentially introducing corrosion to your valuable collection.

Wondering what the upside is?

Privacy!

It’s not hard to hide a large gun safe from ontractors or handy men when it’s tucked away in a basement. And if not becoming a target is important to you (and I’d think it was), a basement can be a great spot.

Pros and Cons of Putting a Safe in the Garage

In many homes, a garage can be an excellent location for a large gun safe because it allows you to keep your firearms away from unauthorized people but still accessible when needed. It’s not as good as putting one right next to your bed so that you can access it quickly if there is a need. But, if you already have a quick-access safe and are looking for a place to store a large safe, the garage can be a decent last resort.

But like all locations where there is no climate control, humidity can potentially cause problems over time if it isn’t properly managed. And while garages are fairly easy to secure (especially with a garage door lock), burglars know that they are a common place to find firearms.

Anywhere Else?

In addition to the three most popular spots, there is always the laundry room or mudroom. And it’s not impossible for someone who really wants access to your guns (like an ex-spouse) can get them from a small closet.

You can also choose from our favorite hidden gun storage ideas if you want to hide your firearm in plain sight.

So, what do you think is the best place for a gun safe? Let us know in the comments below!