So if you found this site and you have read some of my write-ups you have a couple things in common, you probably are a computer user and own at least one firearm. With that in mind I need to talk about something that we should all be doing and that is properly managing our collection.
My daily carry gun is on me almost constantly and I have the serial number memorized but I am sure that in an intense situation I may not be able to recall that information should I really need it. And if the worst case scenario of you had to go in the Post Office or another off limits building and your vehicle is broken in to and items including your gun are stolen you will need to report all the information you can right away to the police. So this is where some planning and management will come in handy. First off you should have a safe at home to store your weapons in but you should also have all of your serial numbers written down or better yet saved in multiple places. You can stay old school and do paper and this is great if you want to keep a list in your safe deposit box but if you are possibly going to need access on the go I would suggest looking at MyGunDB. You can install a copy on your computer, sync it to DropBox encrypted and import it to an app on your Android or iOS device or just manage it from one of those devices.
This will make it much easier to manage your collection in multiple ways. There is an option for keeping round count, appraisal values, accessories and a lot of other information about your weapons. I built an AR15 from a stripped lower and I have all the parts information like where each item was purchased to which FFL the lower was transferred through. Each parts value and purchase location/website is also available so I can enter the application and send the info to someone who really likes a certain part but just can't seem to find it. If you transfer an item or firearm you can record the information as well and show it as having been sold so if that person does not manage their collection well and a firearm is stolen and subsequently used in a crime you can show them exactly who owned it when sold or at the very least the date it was sold and any other information you have available when the ATF comes knocking on your door. I believe in covering my ass when something goes down and have no need for the stress that can come with the possible things that can happen out there after selling a firearm.
Another way to cover your ass is to make sure you have some sort of a tethered lockbox or attached safe in your vehicle. They can be acquired fairly cheaply like the GunVault or the Bulldog Car Safe, they are less than 50.00 online and some can even be picked up at a local gun store or big box store near you. Some can be hard mounted to the vehicle like under a fold up rear seat or will have a cable tether that can be secured to the seat mount. The ones with the tether can actually be very good if you want to place the safe out of sight in a glove compartment or center console as you can pass the cable between the plastic pieces or drill a hole large enough to feed the cable and then secure it while leaving the safe hidden especially if you do not have fold up seats.
At home you will probably want at least two safes, one for your firearms that are not accessed frequently or do not need quick access. These should be bolted down. . . DON'T JUST THINK THAT BECAUSE IT'S VERY HEAVY THAT IT CAN NOT BE STOLEN. I have heard of cases in my area where a safe was in a garage and thieves just backed their vehicle inside and loaded it up from the garage where it WAS NOT bolted to the floor and a couple where the safe was in a bedroom closet and a couple guys with a movers dolly just laid the safe over and wheeled it out. And another thing SHUT AND LOCK THE DOOR ON THE SAFE!!!!!!!!!! There are also cases where someone was doing something and then left the safe door cracked open and later that day or the next day there was a break in. The person did not have serial numbers written down his big expensive safe was not locked and the thieves have not and doubtfully will ever be caught. Get into the habit of opening the safe, making a transfer and then LOCK THE DAMN THING. Even if you are going to clean one weapon and be in line of sight the whole time, it never fails that the wife or the kids or the neighbor or a buddy will interrupt and you will leave it open. After that it's up to Murphy's Law and Lady Luck, which one are you betting will end up being the victor today? And even if you can not afford a big safe something is better than nothing. A small safe or a locking cabinet of some sort is better than leaving your your weapons out lying around the house.
As far as the other safe, yes I said other one. You will probably want something small on or near your bed. This is for when you are sleeping and don't keep a firearm under your pillow and even if you do so that you can have it stored while you are not in bed. I do not advocate the picture frames with a weapon hidden in it. They look cool and could be good if you have a large house and you can't make it to your safe in the other end of the house but then again you could have a second large safe to store your long guns in as well on the other end. If you carry outside the home carry inside the home as well. Things can happen in a flash and if you are sitting down eating with your family and you can't get up and have a firearm in your hand in three seconds or less without running to a hidden weapon then why do you worry about carrying outside the home? In my state "my home is my castle" and "castle" doctrine falls in place. I can leave my door wide open and if someone comes in uninvited I can assume TWO things. One: The person entering my home without permission has the will to do harm. Two: The person entering my home without permission has the means to do harm. So simply put some strange person comes over the threshold of my home without knocking and me giving permission to enter I have the right to defend my home with lethal force because that person has the will and means to do harm to me and/or my family. But it's hard to defend yourself and/or your family or maybe even friends in your home if you do not have access to your firearm because it's in your safe and not accessible to you when you need it.
So there it is, a little primer on managing your collection. Hopefully it has been interesting and informative and it is my opinion on things and opinions are like assholes - everyone has one so yours may differ. But I do my best to make a point with mine as well.
Stay safe out there America. The crazies are always out on the prowl.
