FAQs > Gun Safes

The below information is merely a guideline for storage, you should always consult with your local police station if you intend to keep guns. All firearms require a licence to own.

If you own a firearm of any type such as a shotgun or rifle then by law you should keep it in a secure cabinet or safe. The safe or cabinet that the firearms are kept in has to conform to British Standards 7558(1992).

Gun cabinets and safes need to be secured to a hard surface such as a wall and the fixing bolt should be able to withstand force of up to 2 Kilonewtons. Safes and cabinets require a secure lock or hardened shackle padlock and should be stored in a secure, ideally concealed place. Garages and other outbuildings are not advisable as these are more difficult to police. Never buy a safe that does not comply with British Standard 7558 (1992) to store firearms.

Shotguns

Shotguns should be kept in a dedicated shotgun cabinet and ammunition stored securely elsewhere such as ammunition safe or within a separately locking section of the cabinet.

Rifles

Rifles also need to be stored in a dedicated gun. Rifle bolts should be stored separately from the rifle and in a similar container. The bolt container can be a part of the gun cabinet but should have its own locking mechanism. Ammunition must always be kept apart in a ventilated box and then locked away, again this can be in a separate ammo safe or in a lockable section of the cabinet

Handguns

Handguns are illegal in the UK unless you have an exemption certificate granting permission for possession. If you own a handgun then it should be kept in a gun cabinet or secure cabinet made from steel.

General Security

If you do keep guns then you should also consider installing security alarms that conform to BS 4737. External doors to buildings where firearms are to be kept should be secured with five lever mortice locks. If you collect guns then you should not keep them on display but in conditions listed above.