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Storage options
Learn about strategic storage options when suicide is a concern and work with your Veteran to choose the best option.
What is your Veteran willing to do?
Aim for what feels right for your Veteran and makes things safest.
(safest option)
Store away from home
Where to store guns away from home until things improve.
With a relative
Keeping your firearms with a trusted person is a convenient, free option in many states. Some states have laws that makes this option a little tricky, but you can learn how to do this legally in your state.
Gun shops
Some gun shops offer storage services and a few specialize in it (like providing pick up services and/or offering discounts for longer-term and multiple-gun storage). Some states have maps to help you find nearby gun shops offering temporary firearm storage.
Depending on how the guns are stored, the owner may need to undergo a background check to retrieve the guns.
Dropping guns off for gunsmithing or engraving are also ways to temporarily store them away from home.
Pawn shops
Pawning guns for a very small loan amount is another storage option. Monthly interest on loans typically runs about 15-20%. For example, if a Veteran pawns their guns for a $100 loan, to reclaim, they would pay back the $100 plus $15-$20 per month interest. They also will go through a background check.
There are a few places (like New York City) where pawn shops cannot sell firearms.
Storage facility
Many self-storage facilities allow gun storage. Typically the smallest unit is 5’ by 5’, but some offer drawers, which are the least expensive. Prices typically involve an initial fee and rental costs start at $20-$75+/month depending on the size of the unit. Store guns locked and unloaded.
Gun ranges
Shooting ranges and sportsmen clubs may offer locker rentals for a relatively low monthly rate. Typically, only the owner holds the key.
Police/Sheriff’s office
Some police departments will temporarily store firearms free of charge for safekeeping if there is a suicide concern. If they do, ask for specific instructions on how to drop guns off or whether they’ll pick them up. Also ask what will be involved to get them back. Check with the police department first for information.
Preventing access at home
Options to store guns at home while adding time and space between your Veteran and the gun.
Locking
Lock guns in a gun safe or lock box. The National Shooting Sports Foundation has developed a helpful guide to locking options.
Disassembling
Disassemble any guns and store a vital part, like the slide or firing pin, away from home until your Veteran is feeling better.
Holding keys
Hold onto firearm storage keys or re-set the combination for the time being. If that’s not possible, ask your Veteran to store the keys away from home (like in a bank deposit box) to create a time barrier in these moments.
Unloading
Keep ammunition out of the home or locked separately for now.
What about self-defense firearms?
Your Veteran could be focused on protecting their family or property. But what’s the bigger threat? An attack from a stranger or death by suicide? This can be a reminder that their family needs them.
Listen to Tom Brown, a tactical firearm instructor, talk about storage options for the home defense gun.
(Used with permission from New Hampshire Firearm Safety Coalition)
Other suggestions
- An alarm system
- Motion-detecting lights outside the home
- A dog
- Pepper spray
One Veteran who was dealing with PTSD said he only felt safe when he had a loaded gun under his pillow. He didn’t think he could sleep without it. His therapist asked him to experiment with putting the gun just a couple of feet away on his bureau for a few nights.
Eventually he was able to lock it in the safe in his room. “Rather than getting worse, my anxiety actually got better,” he said.
Mike agreed to let his father change the combination on his gun safe for now.
Things to remember and next steps
- State and local laws may limit who can hold a weapon on someone’s behalf. They also provide rules on how that transfer should happen. Learn what legally works in your state.
- Remember that these ideas and suggestions are a starting point. It’s the firearm owner’s right to decide which options are best for them. Here are some tips on how to share your ideas while letting them know they are still in control.
- Considering these options can be stressful. View more resources to get help for you or your loved one.
- Firearms do not have to be your only focus. Learn about making the home safer in other ways.
- The option that works best now does not have to be the one you use forever. Start thinking about long-term solutions.
Kevin, a Veteran, father, and counselor, discusses safe storage options.
Is relocating or locking the guns not an option?
- Whatever puts some time and distance between the person and the gun may save a life.
- Ask the Veteran if there are images, sayings, phone numbers, anything that could help redirect their suicidal thoughts. Would a reminder of a reason to live on the gun safe or ammo box help? Like a picture of their kids or pet? Remember to revisit this as the situation changes (like changes in custody).
- Try other ways to “cause a pause.”