Will Your Gun Safe Lock You Out?

6857 Views 70 Replies 44 Participants Last post by Jdog67, Nov 5, 2021

Paravani

Discussion Starter · Dec 1, 2020

I've been shopping online for a small home safe, and I've noticed that nearly all safes now have digital keypads. Apparently the general population really likes the James Bond touch, and doesn't realize what a truly bad idea this is.

Electronics malfunction. All it takes is a strong solar storm, and that safe is locked FOREVER.

Even more worrying from a 2A point of view is the knowledge that digital safes can be remotely disabled by EMF. Gun owners are being encouraged and even required by law to keep their firearms in gun safes -- but virtually all new gun safes have electronic locking mechanisms.

So when a massive EMP causes all hell to break loose, the vast majority of prudent citizenry will be unable to mount an armed defense against roving gangs. This doesn't seem like a positive scenario.

What kind of gun safe do you own, or advocate owning? What contingency plans do you have, if your safe won't open when you need access to your firearms?

Reactions: 5

1 - 20 of 71 Posts

Eagle Scout Survivor

· #2 · Dec 1, 2020

Most digital keypad safes have a backup physical key incase the electronics or batteries die.

Although your concerns are valid issue to worry about.

Also a good reason to not keep all your eggs in 1 basket. When I moved I accidentally locked most of my guns and the dial combination in the safe. Took over a week to get it open (I inverted 2 numbers) during that time I was down to 4 guns I had access.

Reactions: 5

SwifTst

· #3 · Dec 1, 2020

Mine came with 2 really long backup keys in case the keypad fails.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reactions: 2

huskersox86

· #4 · Dec 1, 2020

My older safe is digital with a key backup. Some of the newer ones no longer come with a key. Last summer, I needed a second safe, and bought the 64 gun Canon from TSC, and it is only digital, no keyed backup. It does worry me a bit, which is why I keep stuff split up beteeen the two separate safes that I have.

Reactions: 3

Potawatomi II

· #5 · Dec 1, 2020

Paravani said:
I've been shopping online for a small home safe, and I've noticed that nearly all safes now have digital keypads. Apparently the general population really likes the James Bond touch, and doesn't realize what a truly bad idea this is.

Electronics malfunction. All it takes is a strong solar storm, and that safe is locked FOREVER.

Even more worrying from a 2A point of view is the knowledge that digital safes can be remotely disabled by EMF. Gun owners are being encouraged and even required by law to keep their firearms in gun safes -- but virtually all new gun safes have electronic locking mechanisms.

So when a massive EMP causes all hell to break loose, the vast majority of prudent citizenry will be unable to mount an armed defense against roving gangs. This doesn't seem like a positive scenario.

What kind of gun safe do you own, or advocate owning? What contingency plans do you have, if your safe won't open when you need access to your firearms?

Great thing to bring up. As to my safe it's a cheap stack-on I bought at Kmart 15 years ago and only opens by key and could probably be broken into with a good can opener. I just wanted something to defeat small children because while my kids knew to stay away there's no telling for sure how their friends have been raised.

Now as to the digital keypad. My dad has one that's keypad only, I had no idea until he wanted to show me a gun he bought so he put in the code...nothing, he put in what might be the code...nothing he tried one more time...nothing and locked out for 15 minutes. That was when I asked why he didn't key override and he told me the ones with keys were more expensive. I was over a couple more times before he found where he wrote the code down and got it to actually work in the same day.

Stay away from anything you can't open with a key.

Reactions: 4

blacklab

· #6 · Dec 1, 2020

I stick with mechanical combination safes. I don't want to find out a battery died and I need to figure out where I left the key in an emergency situation.

I've been a member of a pa gun forum for years. Every safe someone posted a problem about is digital.

Reactions: 5

Exarmyguy

· #7 · Dec 1, 2020

Mine are just padlock safes. If someone breaks into my gunroom they can break into any safe too .

Reactions: 3

dontbuypotteryfromme

· #8 · Dec 1, 2020

Is your glock going to necessarily protect you from the sort of super spies that are shooting your safe with an EMP?

Reactions: 1

Panchovilla

· #9 · Dec 1, 2020

I have both and keep my keys in a keypad safe. 🙃

Reactions: 2

Paravani

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 1, 2020

dontbuypotteryfromme said:
Is your glock going to necessarily protect you from the sort of super spies that are shooting your safe with an EMP?

The issue isn't just about the individual. Any "super spy" (we'll say) who has a device that creates a strong EMP is very likely to blanket entire communities with it, not just single individuals.

Reactions: 1

Paravani

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 1, 2020

huskersox86 said:
My older safe is digital with a key backup. Some of the newer ones no longer come with a key. Last summer, I needed a second safe, and bought the 64 gun Canon from TSC, and it is only digital, no keyed backup. It does worry me a bit, which is why I keep stuff split up beteeen the two separate safes that I have.

If your safe can be opened with a key, it can be opened with a set of lockpicks. But at least YOU can get into it when you need, too.

Reactions: 4

huskersox86

· #12 · Dec 1, 2020

Paravani said:
If your safe can be opened with a key, it can be opened with a set of lockpicks. But at least YOU can get into it when you need, too.

Maybe. It is one of the short stubby round keys with all of the little edges. Not sure if that is easier or harder to pick. I don’t know anything about lock picking, and I’m hoping the vast majority of John Q. Public don’t either.

Reactions: 1

Potawatomi II

· #13 · Dec 1, 2020

dontbuypotteryfromme said:
Is your glock going to necessarily protect you from the sort of super spies that are shooting your safe with an EMP?

Considering the question asked and the reasons why it was asked I have to say that you win the ignorant jackass post of the day.

Reactions: 5

Cuteandfuzzybunnies

· #14 · Dec 1, 2020

huskersox86 said:
Maybe. It is one of the short stubby round keys with all of the little edges. Not sure if that is easier or harder to pick. I don’t know anything about lock picking, and I’m hoping the vast majority of John Q. Public don’t either.

Im a locksmith. A good lock takes time to
Pick. Most safes can be cut open faster than picked open.

Reactions: 5

huskersox86

· #15 · Dec 1, 2020

Cuteandfuzzybunnies said:
Im a locksmith. A good lock takes time to
Pick. Most safes can be cut open faster than picked open.

I kind of always thought that having a safe, at least for me, was for a little peace of mind to keep kids and honest people out. Someone with enough time and determination, will most likely not have much trouble breaking into any safe that doesn’t cost several thousand dollars.

Reactions: 3

~Black.Dog~

· #16 · Dec 1, 2020

One of my safes has a keypad but it also has keys that can be used when you take the keypad face off. One key is stashed nearby but would be nearly impossible for the common smash&grab hooligan to find. The spare is in another location that would be even harder to find.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Reactions: 2

Westcoastforme

· #17 · Dec 1, 2020

Thinking about getting a 90 minute Liberty home safe 17 for some silver, ammo, and a few handguns to put in the basement. I think I read somewhere to have some material between concrete and safe? I still want to bolt it down. if its on top of padding and carpet is that enough?

I was also told by a liberty safe dealer that 50 pounds per shelf is probably standard

www.libertysafe.com

Liberty Premium Home 17 Gun Safe | Fire Rated Safe for Home | Liberty Safe

Order a quality fire rated safe for your home. The Liberty Premium Home 17 gun safe is designed to offer you the best protection at the best price, so you can get the home security that you need. With a 90 minute fire rating, an 11-gauge steel body, and a defensive barrier of 1.25" diameter...

www.libertysafe.com

And it looks like this is only a digital lock that I hate but the size of the safe is about as big as I can go. Hopefully it has key back up

Reactions: 1

Potawatomi II

· #18 · Dec 1, 2020

Westcoastforme said:
Thinking about getting a 90 minute Liberty home safe 17 for some silver, ammo, and a few handguns to put in the basement. I think I read somewhere to have some material between concrete and safe? I still want to bolt it down. if its on top of padding and carpet is that enough?

I was also told by a liberty safe dealer that 50 pounds per shelf is probably standard

Liberty Premium Home 17 Gun Safe | Fire Rated Safe for Home | Liberty Safe

Order a quality fire rated safe for your home. The Liberty Premium Home 17 gun safe is designed to offer you the best protection at the best price, so you can get the home security that you need. With a 90 minute fire rating, an 11-gauge steel body, and a defensive barrier of 1.25" diameter...

www.libertysafe.com

And it looks like this is only a digital lock that I hate but the size of the safe is about as big as I can go. Hopefully it has key back up

I would want one with a key, but maybe that's just me. I do know that back in the day there were pics on every gun forum on the net of a Liberty that was sitting in a foundation (or basement) that had withstood sustained temps of I want to say 1500* (C or F don't remember) so I'm sure they are worth the money if you feel you need one.

They did have to call the company to get it open but the guns in it were undamaged.

Reactions: 1

Westcoastforme

· #19 · Dec 1, 2020

Potawami II said:
I would want one with a key, but maybe that's just me. I do know that back in the day there were pics on every gun forum on the net of a Liberty that was sitting in a foundation (or basement) that had withstood sustained temps of I want to say 1500* (C or F don't remember) so I'm sure they are worth the money if you feel you need one.

They did have to call the company to get it open but the guns in it were undamaged.

Yes I wouldn't buy it unless it had a key. Now what about SHTF scenario and no fire department. The basement will be a melting pit of flame and embers for days. Wont do me much good in the basement in SHTF lol

Westcoastforme

· #20 · Dec 1, 2020

Westcoastforme said:
Thinking about getting a 90 minute Liberty home safe 17 for some silver, ammo, and a few handguns to put in the basement. I think I read somewhere to have some material between concrete and safe? I still want to bolt it down. if its on top of padding and carpet is that enough?

I was also told by a liberty safe dealer that 50 pounds per shelf is probably standard

Liberty Premium Home 17 Gun Safe | Fire Rated Safe for Home | Liberty Safe

Order a quality fire rated safe for your home. The Liberty Premium Home 17 gun safe is designed to offer you the best protection at the best price, so you can get the home security that you need. With a 90 minute fire rating, an 11-gauge steel body, and a defensive barrier of 1.25" diameter...

www.libertysafe.com

And it looks like this is only a digital lock that I hate but the size of the safe is about as big as I can go. Hopefully it has key back up

Okie Dokie. Scratch that Idea. Just got off the phone with Liberty and they said no back up key. When I asked her what if there is a malfunction ,how do I get in. She said if trouble shooting doesn't work then they have to send someone out to drill it opened. I asked why they didn't put back up key lock she said it can be picked. when I asked why they didn't have combination option she didn't have an answer.

Any other safe brands about the same price and fire rating with combination locks or back up key?

Reactions: 2

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