Late summer is hurricane season. If you are a gun owner there may be steps you want to take to protect your collection. After all, you have probably spent a considerable amount of money on your collection. Plus, many people also have historical and family heirloom pieces to protect as well.
Storing your guns the right way to prevent damage is important. The biggest concern is water and corrosion. You also want to make sure that your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance will cover firearms in the event that some of your collection gets damaged or destroyed. Make sure your entire collection is documented in case you have to file a claim after the storm is over. Having that documented will help get your claim filled faster.
Here are some other things to look at when you want to protect your gun collection during hurricane season.
A Large Waterproof Gun Safe
Hopefully, you already store your guns in a waterproof large gun safe. This is the best way to prevent damage from water that may seep into your house if it floods. A solid large formidable safe will also stay intact and protect your firearms in case there is catastrophic damage to your home, such as a roof collapsing or wall caving in.
If you have a safe like this one from Cabela’s called the Liberty Safe Classic Fatboy 48 Jr, it’s going to hold up to 48 of your firearms in this sturdy metal container. As a safe, this unit is practically indestructible. Liberty Safe is the number one maker of gun safes that are secure, durable, and will shield your collection from any damage that may happen during a hurricane (hopefully).
What to do if Some of Your Collection Won’t fit in a Safe
When you don’t have a safe that will entirely hold your collection, you should take steps to protect each gun separately. First, you want to lubricate your gun collection with gun oil that will repel moisture. Then you want to wrap it in a couple of layers of wax paper topped off with layers of plastic wrap. Duct tape all of these layers protecting the gun in place. Store these guns someplace hidden and off the ground in your house. If you have any kind of metal storage unit or foot locker that will work in a pinch. You can also store guns in an unplugged freezer to help protect them from the elements.
Should You Evacuate With Your Guns?
This is a great questions. Yes, you are going to want to have your normal concealed carry on you when you leave, that’s a given. If you have other firearms you keep in a locked safe in your car as you normally do, then obviously bring those as you would with any other car trip. If you can bring the rest of your collection with you, provided you have enough room in the trunk of your car, do it. Make sure you have all of them in locked travel cases, if you can. They are going to be safer and secure with you than at home during a hurricane event.