The Basement is Not the Safest Place for Gun Safes

The basement is not the safest space for your gun safe, as basements are typically more humid than the upstairs (this article shares some the science behind this), which can lead to corrosion. In the case of an intruder, you won’t have quick access to your firearms for self defense unless you sleep in your basement, and in the case of flooding, your gun safe could get damaged as waterproofing is not reliable with gun safes. The rumor that your basement is the best place for a gun safe comes from a few theories including:

  • Security in that you can get down there fast, access a firearm, and escape quickly.
  • The concrete floors and solid foundations are better at supporting the heavy weight.
  • Basements are discrete so having the safe down there keeps prying eyes and curious visitors away.

Curious to know more about basements and gun safes? We’re happy to help. Let’s go issue by issue and share some alternatives so you can keep your family safe, firearms accessible, and collections protected.

Burglaries

According to ADT, only 4% of home burglaries enter through the basement. If the goal is to keep your collectible firearms away from burglars, basements could be better than the first floor as the front door gets 34% of break-ins and the backdoor at 22%.  

Although protection from burglary may make sense for storage, your safe will not be protected from humidity. Both the gun safe and the firearms can be damaged by mold, mildew, and rust.  

Quick Access for Security

When you sleep on the second floor of your home, storing your gun safe in the basement stops you from gaining quick access in threat situations, as most invaders access through the first floor. You now need to avoid the intruder while accessing two levels of your home vs. having a gun safe under or next to your bed providing quick access to your protective firearms.

If you do store your main gun safe in the basement, make sure you have a bedside gun safe in your bedroom so you can access your firearm. You may also want to invest in a hidden safe for your closet in case they come through the bedroom or you’re in a different area of the house.  

Pro-tip: Do not use biometric gun safes in the kitchen as wet fingers can prevent them from unlocking.

Anchoring and Weight Support

One of the best reasons to place a gun safe in the basement is they can be anchored to the floor which will prevent burglars from carrying them off. Although this is a sound reason, if someone wants the contents of your gun safe enough that they would carry a heavy one away, chances are they’re already likely prepared to crack it.

In addition to anchoring, heavier safes might not be an option in older homes or floors not designed for supporting heavy weights. If you’re curious about the load bearing capacity of your floors, check the building codes from when the home was built and during renovations, or hire a structural engineer to do a study. Using the basement for your larger gun safes where there is a concrete slab may be the only option. 

Corrosion, Flooding, and Humidity

No gun safe is going to be effective long term when it comes to flooding and the corrosion that results from humidity. Basements are more humid than other areas of your home, so keeping a gun safe in one requires additional maintenance and checks. In the event of a water main break, natural disasters like flooding or a pipe bursting, the water is going to rush downwards and flood your basement first.

Even if the safe prevents water from getting inside, mold and mildew can settle in and corrode the iron or steel while you wait to be allowed back into your home. If it is weeks or a month before you can safely access your basement, the damage may already be done as moisture can seep in through the ventilation systems.  

If you do store your gun safe in the basement, you can’t stop a flood, but you can have dehumidifiers in your basement and in the gun safe itself to help keep moisture levels under control for non-flood situations.

In general, storing a gun safe in your basement is not ideal because the climate will be more humid and that leads to corrosion and your firearms are not easily accessible in a threat situation. If your floors can support the weight, have the safe on an upper level to protect it from humidity and to have access when you need it.

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