Storing firearms is no joke. There are at least a number of reasons for ensuring that guns and ammunition are properly secured, whether for sport shooters, hunters or collectors. Meanwhile, two factors have emerged in recent years that have made safe storage of firearms a very popular topic. Firstly, the regulations on this problem, which remembered the previous era, changed a few years ago, and secondly, there has been a noticeable increase in interest in owning firearms among Poles. To put it simply – we are arming ourselves. Therefore, the more about gun safes, the better.
Legal basis
Storing firearms is no joke. There are at least a number of reasons for ensuring that guns and ammunition are properly secured, whether for sport shooters, hunters or collectors. Meanwhile, two factors have emerged in recent years that have made safe storage of firearms a very popular topic. Firstly, the regulations on this problem, which remembered the previous era, changed a few years ago, and secondly, there has been a noticeable increase in interest in owning firearms among Poles. To put it simply – we are arming ourselves. Therefore, the more about gun safes, the better.
S1 class
Meanwhile, with the progressive unification of Polish law with that of the EU, the Act on Weapons and Ammunition was amended a few years ago, introducing the obligation to store firearms in safes of at least class S1 according to the PN-EN 14450 standard.
It is undoubtedly positive that firearms users have been obliged to store their firearms in devices that are safes, and the confirmation of this by the S1 class standard enforces a fairly uniform design and installation of all models present on the market.
A side effect of the amendment is the huge career that S1 class gun safes are making in the public space. For many customers who were previously unfamiliar with safes, the S1 class has emerged as robust and providing secure storage of weapons and resistance to burglary. This is not quite the case – S1 class gun safes are the safes with the lowest possible burglar-proof rating.
Which weapon safes are available?
Weapon safes cover a very wide spectrum of products, which can be divided according to burglar-proof class and purpose.
S1 class safes
S1 class safes are basically only suitable for storing firearms and ammunition, which does not mean that they are always small and light safes. Yes, there are lightweight small arms safes offered, which are more reminiscent of caskets, and lightweight and slim S1 class gun safes, which can literally fit several units of firearms. However, much larger models are also available, including strongboxes weighing more than 200 kg, which can store up to a dozen shotguns.
But don't let the weight fool you. Sure, the heavier the better, but an S1 class cabinet is still a single-walled structure that provides basic protection against burglary.
You may be interested in: What kind of gun safe to choose?
High-grade safes
Although S1 class safes are making waves in terms of volume, there are safes that are incomparably better, providing more comprehensive and more robust protection against break-ins and even the effects of fire.
What class of gun safes can you buy?
Weapon safes are available in several levels offering higher security than class S1. The first in line is safety class S2 according to the same EN 14450 standard. These are safes for long weapons or short weapons made using double-walled technology, stronger, above all heavier and generally roomier.
A higher degree of security, both for storing firearms and valuables, is provided by safes with multi-walled construction, and these start at class 0 according to the EN 1143-1 standard. Armoured cabinets of this type work well in many solutions.
If you care about exceptional robustness and want to ensure that the contents of the safe do not fall into the wrong hands, there are also safes in class I according to the EN 1143-1 standard.
In the latter category, fire-resistant safes are also available, which is of considerable importance when it comes to storing items such as classified documents, deeds or even cash. Fire resistance is an additional feature worth investing in.
Also check: What class should a gun safe have? Regulations vs. reality
How are long gun safes equipped?
When choosing the right cabinet for storing firearms, it would be wise to consider the equipment.
It is clear that the functionality of these safes requires the presence of long weapon holders. It is a good idea to take additional elements into account, such as a holder for excisers, balconies on the door for storing ammunition or holders for storing small arms.
Quite a few gun safes have an internal safe locked by a separate key lock ex-factory. In the case of larger models, there may be two separate inner safes.
Locking method
Although every cabinet is locked with a key lock as standard, the vast majority of customers choose an electronic lock. The electronic lock is simple to use, intuitive and ideally suited to safes for storing firearms.
Those who favour more traditional solutions are also offered mechanical combination locks, i.e. the dial we know so well.
On the other hand, users who appreciate more technologically advanced solutions will appreciate the biometric lock.
How to buy a safe?
If you are looking for a safe for storing firearms, you will certainly come across gun cabinets of different classes, dimensions, various colours and differing functionality. In our range, you will not only find gun cabinets, but also a wide range of safes providing protection against unauthorised access. We are convinced that you will find something to suit your needs. If you need support – call us!
