Are you thinking about getting a firearms licence? Or maybe you have the opportunity to buy one? You probably already know that a permit alone is not enough. You should first of all consider where you are going to keep your firearm. The Act on the storage of weapons and ammunition clearly states that for this purpose you need a safe of at least S1 class according to EN 14450. Find out what this means and what safety features such an armoured cabinet has.
A S1 class safe – the requirements it should meet
A S1 class safe is a basic cabinet, in which weapons can be stored. It complies with Polish and European standards on securing firearms. However, it is worth noting that S1 class is the lowest security category. If you want to ensure the right level of security and store valuable or antique weapons, it is worth considering a higher security class – S2, 0 or even higher.
A safe of S1 class in accordance with PN-EN 14450 standard should:
● be burglary resistant to an appropriate degree,
● have burglary tests confirmed,
● have a rating plate describing the specified resistance class,
● be equipped with a lock of a security class compliant with EN 1300.
These are not exacting requirements. The standard does not specify parameters such as:
● the material of which the safe is to be made,
● thickness of the walls,
● number of hinges in the door,
● the method of anchoring to the floor or wall.
So when buying a safe, don't just go by the nameplate. Invest in a solid armoured cabinet with thick walls, solid hinges and the possibility of permanent fixing to the floor.
What coefficients define the burglary resistance of a S1 class safe?
Burglary resistance is defined by the following coefficients:
● SU, which states the minimum resistance to access to the interior,
● TP, which defines the number and type of tools used for testing,
● the mechanical strength of the anchorage hole (in kN),
● number and type of locks used.
For a safe of the S1 class in accordance with the PN-EN 14450 standard, the above coefficients are as follows: 2 SU, 40 TP, 20 kN, one lock according to PN-EN 1300 standard. For example, such tools as an angle grinder, crowbar or electric drill (without impact) have coefficients of 2 SU and 30 TP. So a safe of S1 class constructed in accordance with PN-EN 14450 standard is resistant to burglary attempts using these devices.
Unfortunately, a S1 class safe will no longer resist a large impact hammer drill and a gas burner for cutting metal. It is therefore worth considering buying a better safe.
Read also: What you should know about S1 class safes
Do old armoured cabinets meet the requirements for a class S1 safe in accordance with standard EN 14450?
If you store your firearms and ammunition in an old cabinet which does not have a safety certificate, you should immediately replace it with a new one. The Regulation on the Storage, Carrying and Recording of Weapons and Ammunition imposes on all firearms owners the obligation to have a safe of S1 class in accordance with PN-EN 14450.
Do you think that your old armoured cabinet is safe enough that you do not need a new one? Use an expert to assess its condition. A document issued by an expert, confirming compliance with S1 class standards, is usually sufficient in the case of an inspection.
Unfortunately, a policeman checking the weapon and the security of the armoured cabinet may question such a document. One of the paragraphs of the said ordinance states that the device must be certified by the Polish Centre for Accreditation. If you do not agree with the law enforcement officer's opinion, then the case will go to court, which will give the final verdict.
Of course you can hire a lawyer and hope to win the case. In this situation, however, it will surely be cheaper to buy a certified safe, which will pass inspection, for certain.
Practical tips before buying an armoured cabinet
You already know that you should have a S1 class safe according to the EN 14450 standard. Now it is time to choose the model, size and type of lock. If you are only going to store weapons in the cabinet, then buy a larger piece of furniture. Then you can easily fit another piece in there if you ever decide to expand your arsenal. You can also hide expensive optics for your weapon in the safe.
You can adjust the size of the cabinet and the number of shelves as you see fit. It's a good idea to have several small compartments for documents and ammunition. Smaller shelves should be used for small arms. A large cabinet will give you easy access to each weapon.
We also recommend: How to choose a gun safe?
