NRA Guidelines for Safe Firearm Storage and Transportation

The NRA's safety education places significant emphasis on proper firearm storage and transportation. A firearm that is not being actively used should be stored in a manner that prevents unauthorized access — particularly by children, untrained individuals, or anyone prohibited from possessing firearms. This responsibility is both a moral obligation and, in Florida, a legal one.

For home storage, the NRA recommends a locked gun safe or cabinet as the primary storage method. The safe should be fire-rated, bolted to the floor or wall to prevent theft, and large enough to accommodate your collection with room for growth. Store firearms unloaded with actions open when possible. Ammunition should be stored separately in a locked container. For quick-access defensive firearms, biometric safes provide rapid entry while maintaining security from unauthorized users.

Cable locks and trigger locks provide an additional layer of security and are often included free with new firearm purchases through the NRA's Project ChildSafe program. While these devices should not be your only security measure, they add redundancy — especially for firearms that cannot fit in your primary safe. Never rely solely on hiding a firearm as a storage method. Children are naturally curious and remarkably resourceful at finding hidden objects.

When transporting firearms to the range or between locations, the NRA and Florida law require specific protocols. Firearms should be unloaded and placed in a locked, hard-sided case. Ammunition should be stored separately from the firearm during transport. In your vehicle, the cased firearm should be placed in the trunk or, if your vehicle has no trunk, in a location not readily accessible to occupants.

If you hold a valid Florida CCW permit, you have additional options for transporting a loaded concealed handgun on your person or in your vehicle. However, long guns must still be transported unloaded and cased regardless of your permit status. When traveling across state lines, research the laws of every state on your route — what is legal in Florida may be a felony in another state. The federal Firearm Owners Protection Act provides limited protection for travelers passing through restrictive states, but only if the firearm is unloaded and locked away from ammunition. Proper storage and transportation are fundamental responsibilities that protect you, your family, and your community. Source: NRA Safe Storage Guidelines — nra.org.