How To Move A Gun Safe: A DIY Guide

Last updated: December 25, 2022

KEY TAKEAWAYS

A gun safe is a protected arsenal that is designed to hold one or more firearms together with some ammunition. Gun safes are generally used to keep unauthorized or unqualified individuals, such as children, from gaining access to your handguns. 

It may also be used to defend against burglary, and, in the case of more durable home safes, protect your valuables from damage caused by flood, fire, or other natural catastrophes.

In this article, we’ll look at how to properly and securely move a gun safe, along with its features and importance. Read on to learn more. 

Why Should You Own A Gun Safe

Access prevention of firearms is mandated by law in numerous states in order to avoid the unlawful use of a weapon (UUW) and the illegal possession of a firearm. Such a preventive provision is especially important to prevent crimes and weapons offenses. 

In fact, there were more than 153,000 arrests by state and local police departments in the United States for weapon offenses (i.e., UUW) in 2019, which is 9% more than in 2014. This necessitates a gun safe that can keep your firearm locked and stored away, secure from any burglar attempting to steal it. 

Moreover, gun safes can also prevent any unwanted damage or deterioration of your handgun due to natural catastrophes. 

Features Of A Gun Safe

Similar to jewelry safes, gun safes are built to be extremely durable and functional. Besides fire and water resistance, gun safes may include combination locks, digital locks, and fingerprint identification.

On multiple safe models, both electronic and mechanical locks are available. Some gun safes use active locking bolt technology and pry resistant metal to safeguard their contents from forced entrance. 

Some safes, on the other hand, only protect against smash and grab burglary and unauthorized access from children, and others protect against fire, water, and other natural disasters.

How To Move A Gun Safe: 6 Simple Steps

Moving a gun safe is a difficult task, to say the least. While compact portable safes built for a single handgun are easy to move, big heavy-duty safes designed to accommodate many rifles are significantly more challenging.

Most gun safes are tall, bulky, and weigh several hundred pounds. You can try to do it yourself, but hiring a professional gun safe mover is by far the best and simplest option. However, if you insist on saving money by doing it yourself, the following tips will come in handy.

Step 1: Make A Plan

You don’t want to have to move your gun safe multiple times. It is a challenging process that requires a great deal of labor and planning. It is important to know where you are going to place it before you move it. It would be best if you had a clear plan for moving the safe. 

Step 2: Measure The Safe

You’ll need to know the exact route you’ll be taking as you move your gun safe. Gun safes are large and bulky items, so you must measure them before moving them to ensure that they will fit through the doors and corridors you intend to use.

Step 3: Clean Then Empty The Safe

The safe will be considerably easier to move if it is free of dust and debris that could reduce your grip on it. Therefore, you should clean it and completely dry it before attempting to moveit.

It is also advisable to empty the safe completely before transporting it in order to make it as light as possible. This also assures the safety of everyone moving it since if a safe with firearms inside is dropped, one of them may inadvertently discharge, injuring or harming someone or anything.

Step 4: Secure The Safe

You don’t want any doors or drawers that can’t be removed from the safe to swing open when you’re moving it. Avoid this by wrapping the safe in furniture blankets and fastening them in place. This will keep loose parts secure and provide padding to protect your house’s interior. 

Step 5: Protect The Surrounding Area

Scratch-resistant material should be used to protect any walls or furniture your safe may come into contact with. If the safe collides with any furniture, it will scratch. It is also best if you can clear anything in your planned route ahead of time. 

Step 5: Have The Proper Equipment

You should not use your arms to move a gun safe. The weight will make it nearly impossible, and you can easily injure yourself. So, rent or borrow the equipment needed for the job. You should use a hand truck or a furniture dolly with a high enough weight rating to handle the load.

Step 6: Get Your Friends And Family To Help

Now that you’re ready to start moving your safe, it’s time to call your friends and family over to help. You’ll need two or three people to help you lift, maneuver, and navigate the safe to its new location. Once you’ve successfully moved your safe, secure it in place and put all its content back as well. 

If you are interested in purchasing a home safe, check out this Security Forward article on the top marketplaces and sites to buy home safes.

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