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Firearms Security, Safekeeping, and Storage in the UK
Owning firearms is a serious responsibility that requires a high level of safety and security. In the United Kingdom (UK), there are specific laws and regulations regarding the safekeeping and storage of firearms and ammunition. As a responsible firearms owner, it is your duty to comply with these laws and take reasonable precautions for the safety of your firearms.
The Law on Firearms Security
Under the Firearms Rules 1998, all firearm and shotgun certificates are attached to a prescribed safekeeping condition. Non-compliance with this condition is an offense that can lead to imprisonment for up to six months, a fine, or both. The safekeeping condition requires that all firearms and section 1 ammunition be stored securely to prevent unauthorized people from accessing or using them. The term "unauthorized" refers to any person who does not hold a firearm or shotgun certificate. When firearms or ammunition are in use, or the owner is carrying them for a specific purpose, reasonable precautions must be taken to ensure their safe custody.
While the ammunition for a shotgun is exempt from the safekeeping condition, it is essential to take reasonable precautions to keep it safe. Your local police firearms licensing department can provide advice on security arrangements.
Secure Storage
The Firearms Rules do not specify how firearms must be stored securely, but the Home Office has issued guidelines. According to the guidelines, firearms must be kept in a locked gun cabinet or a similarly secure container. In some cases, it may be acceptable to store the firing mechanism in a safe if the firearm is dismantled. In such cases, the rest of the firearm must be kept locked away.
Section 1 ammunition can be stored in a separate secure compartment within a gun cabinet or in its own secure container. The police will assess whether the storage arrangements are secure enough based on the circumstances of each case and the overall security arrangements, including the security of the premises where the firearms and ammunition are kept.
Levels of Security
Security arrangements can be categorized into three levels, depending on the circumstances. Level 1 is applicable in most cases and can be met by using a suitable gun cabinet. For those holding only one firearm, a gun clamp may suffice. Other considerations would be a low crime rate area and the fitting of outer doors and windows with suitable locking devices.
Level 2 is applicable when extra security is desirable, such as in high crime rate locations or when a substantial number of firearms are being held. Additional security would include exit doors fitted with locks to BS3621, an audible intruder alarm covering the area where the guns are stored, and the provision of more than one cabinet.
Level 3 is the highest level of security, and it is considered necessary when the risk is greatest. This could involve splitting the risk by providing additional target hardening of the storage cabinets and an audible intruder alarm protecting the whole of the premises.
Types of Security Available
When applying for the grant or renewal of your firearm certificate, a Firearms Enquiry Officer (FEO) may visit you to discuss and advise on security arrangements. Commercially manufactured firearm cabinets are widely available and are the preferred method of security for most people. It is not compulsory to have a gun cabinet that meets the British Standard (BS 7558), but having such a cabinet does not necessarily guarantee that you are meeting the safekeeping condition. Before purchasing a cabinet, you should ask the seller to show you a test certificate to confirm that the cabinet meets the British Standard.
A suitable gun cabinet should be made from sheet steel at least 14 swg (standard wire gauge) thick, with continuously welded seams or a cabinet body formed by bend construction. Hinges should be on the inside of the cabinet, and if they are external, hinge bolts, blocks, or anti-lever bars should be provided.
Home Office - Firearms security: a brief guide
Home Office Guidance - Firearms Security-Handbook
BASC - Firearm & Shotgun Security