Proper storage prevents unauthorized use or theft of firearms and ammunition or damage to them. A gun safe or gun cabinet is commonly used to physically avoid access to a firearm. Local laws may require particular standards for the lock, the strength, and burglar resistance of the cabinet and even require weapons and ammunition to be stored separately. Rifles or shotgun-safe lighter versions of true safes are generally the norms for hunters or multiple firearm owners.
Various safety standards like the RSC and CDOJ safety standards in the US exist for the minimum requirement to qualify a container as a firearm safety storage device. Similarly, small handgun safes of different sizes and capacities are preferred for storing a small number of handguns. However, most of them are not reliable by independent researchers and professional hackers. The locking mechanism plays an essential role in the overall safety of the small safe. Generally, simplex mechanical locks are the most secure and reliable. For ammunition, some experts recommend storing in specific locations away from firearms. Ammunition should be kept in excellent, dry conditions, free from contaminating vapors to prevent deterioration of the propellant and cartridge. Handloaders must take special precautions for storing primers and loose gunpowder.