When you decide to purchase a firearm, you need to ensure that it is properly secured. Guns are not toys, they are dangerous items and it is in your best interest, both legally and financially, to store them safely. Let's take a look at how to approach this.
The legal basis
Until recently, the storage of weapons was regulated by a Decree of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration from 2000, according to which weapons could be kept in a steel cabinet equipped with a lock with any certificate. Any, and therefore even issued by the manufacturer of this lock, with the result that literally any steel cabinet fitted with such a lock could meet the letter of the law. Imagine, then, a collection of firearms locked up in an OH&S locker with a cylinder lock. Horror, isn't it?
With the increasing Europeanisation of national law, there has been a change in this area too. In 2014, the Minister of the Interior issued a decree (in the current wording in force from 21st January 2021), which made it mandatory for holders of weapons and ammunition to use cabinets in safety class S1 according to the European standard EN 14450. As a result, when you buy a cabinet marked with a certificate, you are not only sure that you meet the legal requirements, but you are also sure of the principles according to which it is built.
Do you want to know more about it? Look here.
S1 – what class is it?
Class S1 is the most basic that exists on the Polish and European market. Without going into technical details, in practice safes with this class are made of a single steel plate, usually 3 mm thick. Such safes are equipped with a key lock, mechanical cipher lock or electronic lock, which must also be classed in accordance with the European EN 1300 standard. It is also necessary to permanently anchor the safe to the floor or wall; safes in class S1 have factory-made mounting holes in the floor and in the back. It's worth remembering that, by virtue of their purpose, gun safes are generally tall, so additional anchoring to the wall adds stability to the safe.
How about something better?
As said in the previous paragraph, the S1 grade represents the most basic security available on the market. Meanwhile, safes are available in much better grades, providing a higher level of protection against burglary and even fire. Why should you be interested in these?
Firearms, ammunition or accessories for their maintenance are expensive items. Several units of weapon, ammunition, scopes, night-vision goggles, a notch, chemicals for maintenance, binoculars or even hunting clothes are an expense of several or even tens of thousands of zlotys. Breaking into and losing the contents of a safe means just such an expense if you want to continue shooting. The situation is even worse if you are a collector and the guns in your collection are rare, unique specimens. It may prove difficult, if not impossible, to rebuild such a collection, which is why it is worth considering the purchase of a safe in burglary resistance class 0 or I; these are heavy devices, difficult to break into. Choosing a safe that has the added advantage of being fireproof will make it a versatile device in which you can keep not only weapons, but also cash or documents.
... and nicer?
The classic gun safe does not represent an aesthetic value, it is a steel cuboid with a uniform powder coating colour and the only conspicuous element is the locking hardware. Being a hunter, and even more so a collector, perhaps you would like your weapon to be a decorative element to blend in with your dreamed-of and carefully decorated living room. There is nothing to stop you! Gun cabinets with armour glass that allow you to enjoy the view of your collection illuminated by subtle light are becoming popular. We can also make all-steel safes, but with an individual hunting theme on the door and a wooden, illuminated and individually designed interior. Contact us, tell us your ideas and we will be happy to help you find what you are looking for.
We also recommend: How to choose a gun safe?
