Training Linked to Secure Firearm Storage Habits
A survey of 1,000 gun owners revealed that safety training significantly improves the likelihood of secure firearm storage.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Home Organization
Live Poll
Should states mandate secure firearm storage laws for gun owners?
Researchers found that firearm owners who receive formal or informal safety training are much more likely to use safes and locks. Overall, 90 percent of participants reported taking some form of safety precaution.
Why it matters
The study clarifies how training impacts storage behaviors and updates previous research on firearm safety practices. It specifically highlights that training is a stronger indicator of secure habits than existing state storage laws.
A survey of over 1,000 firearm owners found that 64 percent use a gun lock or safe, while 51.2 percent store ammunition in a separate location. Approximately 90 percent of participants utilize at least one form of safety precaution.
The players
NRA
The National Rifle Association is an American nonprofit organization that advocates for gun rights and has provided firearm safety training since 1871.
The details
Using a multivariable analysis, researchers determined that those with both formal and informal safety training are six times more likely to store their firearms securely. Notably, the study found no meaningful correlation between state-level secure storage laws and the actual habits of gun owners.
Timeline
The NRA began teaching firearm safety in 1871.
Culture Shift
This study highlights how safety training programs, such as those provided by the NRA since 1871, shape private home storage habits. It marks a shift from relying on legislative mandates toward emphasizing individual education as the primary driver for improved safety behavior.
The findings suggest that firearm owners looking to improve home safety should prioritize formal or informal training rather than relying solely on state-level requirements. Establishing a routine of separate ammunition storage and using secure locks are practical steps to immediately align with best practices.
The takeaway
Secure firearm storage is most effectively achieved through personal safety training rather than state mandates. Owners are encouraged to seek out formal safety courses to adopt better storage habits for their homes.
Further reading
For more on managing household safety and organization, visit Home Organization.
More information
To improve your knowledge of safe handling, you can find a firearm safety course through the organization's portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by An Official Journal Of The NRA.
Live Poll
Should states mandate secure firearm storage laws for gun owners?
