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I recently inherited a 22 Ruger and am taking this as an opportunity to become more familiar with guns. Specifically, I am currently looking at options to secure the weapon in my home. I'm also going to provide a bit more information about my background and goals at the end of my post to solicit other advice if you feel generous.
For securing my weapon, I don't have kids but do occasionally have nephews over. So some sort of safe seems appropriate. Some desired features that I think I would like:
I did not grow up with guns and can count on both hands the number of times I have gone to a target range. I am hoping to change that. I don't ever see myself being a gun enthusiast. But I would like to be knowledgeable enough and safe. Towards that goal:
For securing my weapon, I don't have kids but do occasionally have nephews over. So some sort of safe seems appropriate. Some desired features that I think I would like:
- A bio-metric lock. Seems a great way to avoid fiddling with keys or entering numbers in a hurry (i.e. during home defense needs).
- Fire and water proof, so I could also store a few items that are not valuable but a pain to replace (passport, etc.).
- Small and portable, so it easily fits under the bed. Also, if I travel with, it would be nice to have that extra guard against someone misusing it. Depending on the state I think a locked box in your car is sometimes legally required.
- Extra space, I currently just have the one gun but with time this could expand into a few more. I don't ever see myself going whole hog. An ideal safe might be able to store 2 or 3 guns.
- Ideally I would like the safe to be below $100. I could go up to $200 if it had everything I wanted. If it's going to be more than $200 then I'll probably start trimming my wish list to keep it in budget.
- Most of the portable safes I look at don't advertise any fire proofing. I assume that means it is not fire proof?
- If the safe is in a fire is the a chance of the bullets exploding? I don't plan to keep the gun chambered but I would like to keep a loaded magazine or two for home defense purposes. I assume at some point during the fire (depending on how fireproof the safe is) it can reach a point where it would explode. If this is the case what is the damage here? Is the damage contained in the safe? Or could it possibly hurt my neighbors (I live in a subdivision)? Also, I don't want to harm a firefighter that might be trying to save my house.
I did not grow up with guns and can count on both hands the number of times I have gone to a target range. I am hoping to change that. I don't ever see myself being a gun enthusiast. But I would like to be knowledgeable enough and safe. Towards that goal:
- What is critical to know? Right now I have been focusing on understanding the law, how the actual gun works and general tips for handling a gun at home and at the range.
- I am planning to visit my local range probably about 2-3 times a month to become both comfortable with the weapon and mildly proficient in using it. Do you think this is too much, too little?
- I am considering purchasing a BB gun so I can practice targeting in my backyard in a cost effective manor in between range visits. My research indicates this is legal (I live in Paulding county outside Hiram and Dallas). Is this correct? Do you know of any restrictions I should know about related to this? Would this provide a decent substitute for targeting with a real gun? Is there any specific BB gun you might recommend for this purpose? How loud is a BB gun? Since it is air, I assume quiet (like a paintball gun). I don't want to be a nuisance to my neighbors.
- I like to travel and do fairly often. I realize I will need to research the laws of each state if I choose to bring my weapon. I travel to SC a lot (family). My best research on it indicates the only requirements for SC are that the gun must be locked in the car (i.e. portable safe or trunk) and I must inform a LEO of the gun even if not asked if I am pulled over. I also must unload the weapon if taking it out the car. Anything else? Anything especially tricky for other nearby states (FL, AL, TN, NC)?
- Would it be useful to get a weapons carry permit? It doesn't seem very costly. I don't see myself packing heat around town. I just figure the extra freedom that comes with that permit could help me avoid problems complying with gun restrictions (obviously a permitted person still has restrictions but they have less than a non-permitted person). Also it might help make things easier when traveling to another state.