FAC Security Arrangements

[Atillie]

Hi - looking for bit of advice. Doing FAC application at the moment and in preparation, looking at options for cabinets for proposed rifles and ammo. Is it better to have a completely separate ammo safe or having an integrated lockable ammo compartment within the cabinet acceptable? If both acceptable, are there any preferences from folks here?

Any other recommendations for ensuring there are no objections on security grounds would be appreciated.

 

[VSS]

Hi - looking for bit of advice. Doing FAC application at the moment and in preparation, looking at options for cabinets for proposed rifles and ammo. Is it better to have a completely separate ammo safe or having an integrated lockable ammo compartment within the cabinet acceptable? If both acceptable, are there any preferences from folks here?

Any other recommendations for ensuring there are no objections on security grounds would be appreciated.

Either is acceptable.
My personal preference is to have a separate safe for ammunition. You can carry more stock that way!

 

[tarponhead]

I have both and prefer to keep bolt and ammo separate from their parent firearm. I also split my collection between several cabinets but that just because I had cabinets that fitted secure spaces. Personal choice. Ask your FEO, but their location and installation are probably more important.

 

[enfieldspares]

Also don't put safes in the back of a difficult to access attic. Many FEOs will assume this'll mean that as it is such a bother to access them that you'll then not use them.

 

[Steve Q]

Separate safes every time.
Keeping the bolts, moderators and ammo separately from the Firearms always reassures FEO's that you taking "reasonable precautions" .

 

[chriswjx]

I opted to use my original 3 gun breakdown cabinet for ammo/bolt storage.

When planning all this out, I figured I'd not get sufficient storage for what I was asking just from the choices of internal safes I could find in my budget. (3xCF, 22lr and slugs)

 

[Atillie]

many thanks - all really good advice. Separate safes it is. fingers crossed for the application now

 

[VSS]

I opted to use my original 3 gun breakdown cabinet for ammo/bolt storage.

When planning all this out, I figured I'd not get sufficient storage for what I was asking just from the choices of internal safes I could find in my budget. (3xCF, 22lr and slugs)

Exactly what I did.

 

[TheCornishman]

I use a 3x safe approach….sounds hassle but it really isn’t

1st safe is the gun safe
2nd is an ammo safe that bolts, ammo & mods live in
3rd is a combination safe that the keys to the 1st and 2nd are stored inside. It lives on top of the gun cabinets and has a cloud backed up camera ontop of it that records all access

 

[VSS]

I use a 3x safe approach….sounds hassle but it really isn’t

1st safe is the gun safe
2nd is an ammo safe that bolts, ammo & mods live in
3rd is a combination safe that the keys to the 1st and 2nd are stored inside. It lives on top of the gun cabinets and has a cloud backed up camera ontop of it that records all access

And now you've just told the whole world where you keep the keys to your gun safe & ammo store......

 

[Dickie]

Separate safes every time.
Keeping the bolts, moderators and ammo separately from the Firearms always reassures FEO's that you taking "reasonable precautions" .

So are you saying a single cabinet isn’t reasonable precautions on an approved manufactured safe?

simple some people have 1 safe some people have more than 1, go with what space and budget you have.

 

[fixedwheel]

As you state FAC application, you'll need a separate locking compartment inside the main safe, as a bare minimum.

However, as has already been said, a separate ammo safe is better for larger holdings and multiple calibres. Even with what is quite a large separate ammo safe, I have a system for packing the ammo safe.

It also helps to have a bit extra space, as you can just put a MTM ammo box straight in with the rounds still in it, before or after shooting, rather than having to put them back into retail boxes to save space.

And as with all safes for firearms use, buy the biggest you can, and plan your locations, so you can fit a second, third etc. (I take it you have applied for your SGC as well)

 

[Atillie]

As you state FAC application, you'll need a separate locking compartment inside the main safe, as a bare minimum.

However, as has already been said, a separate ammo safe is better for larger holdings and multiple calibres. Even with what is quite a large separate ammo safe, I have a system for packing the ammo safe.

It also helps to have a bit extra space, as you can just put a MTM ammo box straight in with the rounds still in it, before or after shooting, rather than having to put them back into retail boxes to save space.

And as with all safes for firearms use, buy the biggest you can, and plan your locations, so you can fit a second, third etc. (I take it you have applied for your SGC as well)

thanks - noted on the MTM ammo boxes/pouches.

Yes - doing SGC at same time.

 

[Pete1774]

And now you've just told the whole world where you keep the keys to your gun safe & ammo store......

I use a 3x safe approach….sounds hassle but it really isn’t

1st safe is the gun safe
2nd is an ammo safe that bolts, ammo & mods live in
3rd is a combination safe that the keys to the 1st and 2nd are stored inside. It lives on top of the gun cabinets and has a cloud backed up camera ontop of it that records all access

If the "combinations" safe is the electronic variety they can often be opened with just a big magnet to operate the solenoid on the lock. Also the bypass lock, if it has one, is usually very cheap and can be raked or even forced with a screw driver. The circular keys look good but again the cheaper ones can be opened with the plastic tube from a cheap Biro pen.

 

[TheCornishman]

And now you've just told the whole world where you keep the keys to your gun safe & ammo store......

But not where I live, the other arrangements I have in place or where the safes are located

I get your point but comfortable that nothing has been compromised

 

[nun_hunter]

If the "combinations" safe is the electronic variety they can often be opened with just a big magnet to operate the solenoid on the lock. Also the bypass lock, if it has one, is usually very cheap and can be raked or even forced with a screw driver. The circular keys look good but again the cheaper ones can be opened with the plastic tube from a cheap Biro pen.

They can be very easy to get into especially if they're bolted to a wall with nothing under them but at the end of the day and safe is easy to get into with most household tools within a few minutes especially if no one is home.

It's all about taking "reasonable" precautions to safety.

 

[Pete1774]

They can be very easy to get into especially if they're bolted to a wall with nothing under them but at the end of the day and safe is easy to get into with most household tools within a few minutes especially if no one is home.

It's all about taking "reasonable" precautions to safety.

Very true. My safe arrangements are more than enough protection from most burglars, e.g. a local drug addict looking for a quick sale for his next "fix". Anyone targeting my house specifically to steal my guns would probably just use a big crowbar to rip the cabinets from the wall and throw them in the back of a van to be opened elsewhere at his leisure. Having said that YouTube is awash with videos on how to quickly defeat electronic combination and fingerprint locks so I would not use such a safe for my guns, or anything else.

 

[finnbear270]

I sometimes have to ask Otto or Franz where the keys are buried ... last year the truck keys were in amongst the trees.

 

[VSS]

But not where I live, the other arrangements I have in place or where the safes are located

I get your point but comfortable that nothing has been compromised

It is frighteningly easy for someone who knows how to find your real identity, and hence your address, from your Internet activity.
Personally, I don't even tell my FEO where I keep the keys. I certainly wouldn't be telling anyone that they were in a box on top of the gun safe!

 

[TheCornishman]

It is frighteningly easy for someone who knows how to find your real identity, and hence your address, from your Internet activity.
Personally, I don't even tell my FEO where I keep the keys. I certainly wouldn't be telling anyone that they were in a box on top of the

#soapboxsunday