Gun Safe: Testing And Compliant With The Law

by Legal 28 October 2023

Gun Safe

According to Section 36 of the US Weapons Act, all owners of weapons are obliged to store them in a weapon safe. This must be tested and certified in accordance with the DIN EN 1143-1 standard. All safes comply with legal requirements. If you would like to buy a gun safe, you will benefit from excellent quality and expert advice from legal weapon experts.

Anyone who owns weapons also needs a safe. In Germany, it is stipulated by law that all weapons are securely secured in a weapon safe of the appropriate class (security class/security level or resistance level). But how do you know which gun-safe is the right one?

Safe for weapons and ammunition: classes

Every gun safe has a specific security level. The security class or degree of resistance indicates how many and what type of weapons can be secured in a safe. According to the weapons law from 2017, a general distinction is made between:

  • Gun safe EN 1143-1 Class 0 (less than 200 kg)
  • Gun safe EN 1143-1 Class 0 (over 200 kg)
  • Gun safe EN 1143-1 class 1
  • Gun safe for handguns according to EN 1143-1 Class 0 and Class I
  • Gun safe EN 1143-1 class 0

According to the law, handguns, long guns, and ammunition can be stored together in an EN 1143-1 Class 0 gun safe (also referred to as “Grade 0”) – even without spatial separation. This regulation is regulated in the Weapons Act and the General Weapons Act Ordinance.

  • An unlimited number of long guns, up to 5 handguns, and ammunition can be stored in a Class 0 gun safe weighing less than 200 kg.
  • An unlimited number of long guns, up to 10 handguns, and ammunition can be stored in a Class 0 gun safe weighing over 200 kg.

Gun safe EN 1143-1 class 1

According to the law, handguns, long guns, and ammunition can be stored together in a weapon safe EN 1143-1 Class 1 (also referred to as “Grade 1”) – even without spatial separation. This regulation is regulated in the Weapons Act and the General Weapons Act Ordinance. To further tailor your gun safe selection to your needs, understanding the compact and subcompact pistols difference can help you decide on the most suitable storage solutions for your specific types of handguns, whether for home defense, concealed carry, or both.

Gun safe EN 1143-1 1

Gun safe for handguns according to EN 1143-1 Class 0 and Class I

A safe for handguns in accordance with EN 1143-1 Class 0 or Class I can secure handguns such as pistols or revolvers. In an appropriate handgun safe with resistance level 0 and a weight of less than 200 kg, up to 5 handguns and a weight of over 200 kg can be stored up to 10 handguns. If there are more handguns involved, a gun cabinet, according to DIN 1143-1, with a resistance level I, is required. If you are interested in purchasing one for yourself, check out .458 socom for sale.

Defining Your Requirements

To select the right gun safe, you should define your specific needs. Consider factors like:

Number and type of firearms: Determine how many firearms you need to secure and their type (long guns, handguns).

Safe weight: Choose a safe weight that suits your space and security requirements.

Safe type: Decide between freestanding or built-in safes.

Ammunition storage: Assess whether you need to store ammunition in the safe.

Lock type: Select a lock mechanism that suits your preferences (key, combination lock, fingerprint sensor, etc.).

When purchasing a gun safe, be sure to define your requirements

The legal – and also your own – requirements are and should be very high when storing weapons. It is, therefore, particularly important to define your own requirements before purchasing a gun safe. First, you should decide what kind of safety you actually need. Examples of questions you should ask yourself include the following:

  • How many weapons should be secured?
  • What kind of weapons are they?
  • What weight should the safe have (in kg)?
  • Should the safe be a freestanding or built-in safe?
  • Do I also have to store ammunition in the gun cabinet?
  • What kind of lock do I need (key, combination lock, finger sensor, etc.)?

Where to put the gun safe?

If you have answered the questions above, you have already created a good foundation. However, in addition to this, you should also define where you will put your safe. To do this, it is best to measure the installation location. The dimensions of most gun safes are in cm or mm.

Compare the interior and exterior dimensions of the safes with the space you have available. In addition to the cm or mm length, height, and width, you should also check whether the selected location can support the weight of the safe. A high-quality gun safe can quickly add up to several hundred kilos – sensitive floors or porous walls are then not necessarily suitable as a place to stand. To clarify…

… in which dimensions (cm/mm) do you need the safe, and how much space do you have available (h × w × d).

… whether the wall or floor is robust enough for the safe (load capacity in kg).

Anchoring

There is no requirement in the new weapons law for anchoring a gun safe. However, we recommend that you anchor the safe on the floor or wall. This allows you to effectively prevent the gun from being stolen. Lighter gun safes in particular can be stolen without much effort if they are not anchored.

Furnishing

At Mid State Fire Arms, you can choose the right model from numerous safes in different versions and even configure it individually if necessary. For example, add an additional shelf or shelf part, swap the double-bit lock for an electronic lock, or upgrade the weapon holder. There are hardly any limits to your creativity and requirements!

Buy gun safes

We care that your gun safe satisfies your preferences and all applicable legal requirements. This implies that you are free to choose the kind of lock and whether we bring it curbside or straight to the spot where you want it installed, complete with anchoring. After you acquire a safe, many shops will also be pleased to handle repairs and upkeep.

Choosing the Right Safe

When it comes to gun safety, compliance with the law is of utmost importance. To help gun owners navigate the legal requirements, this article provides essential information on choosing the right gun safe.

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With an adept skill of curating content on multiple genres, Mony has harnessed success as a Content Writer. Find her sharing profound thoughts and opinions on business and startups. She also loves talking about lifestyle, beauty and fashion.

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