If you keep a firearm, whether it is a handgun, a rifle or a shot gun then the law states that it is your responsibility to ensure that it is kept in a safe place, preferably a gun safe or cabinet. A safe or cabinet that is used for storing any kind of firearm must conform to British Standards 7558(1992).

Gun safes and cabinets should be securely attached to a hard surface, and it should not be possible to remove the fixing bolt with a force less than 2kN. Gun safes or cabinets should always be kept locked with at least one secure lock; alternatively a pre-hardened close shackle padlock of no less than 1,000 differs should be used. Gun safes or cabinets should be stored in a secure, preferably concealed place and a garage or outhouse is not really suited to the purpose. You should only use safes and cabinets that meet the British Standard mentioned above to store firearms. Other cabinets may be allowed but they have to be examined by a firearms enquiry officer who will decide whether or not they are suitable.

Handguns come under section 5 of the firearms act and as such it is illegal to own one in the UK unless you have an exemption certificate granting permission to possess a handgun. If you own a handgun then it should be kept in a gun cabinet or secure cabinet made from steel.

If you keep a shotgun then ideally it should be stored in a dedicated gun cabinet, however, if a gun cabinet is not available then some other approved method of storage should be used. Alternative storage should conform to specified safety measures and similar security to a gun cabinet. This can be in a substantial locked cupboard or it should be secured to a wall with a chain or wire hawser and this should also be locked.

Rifles need to be stored in a dedicated gun cabinet or in a special gun room that has adequately secured doors and windows. The rifle bolts should be stored separately from the rifle and in a similar container. The bolt container may be a part of the gun cabinet providing it has its own separate locking system. Ammunition should always be stored separately in a ventilated box and then a locked container. Again this can be part of the main cabinet but should be locked separately.

If you keep several guns then you really should consider installing an intruder alarms system that conforms to British Standards 4737.

All of the external doors to premises where guns are kept should be secured with five lever mortice locks. If you live in a high risk area or in premises such as a shared house or block of flats then you should not keep guns there. Firearms should be stored away from the area at an armoury or with a firearms dealer. If you are a gun collector then you should not keep them on open display.