Thread: Hiding Gun Cabinet Keys

Originally Posted by Cordite

Hi @Russian 22

Yes, heh heh, definite no-no don't braze any key in, tin solder it. Epoxy itself goes quite soft when the real heat is on, but not sure if any solvent will readily dissolve epoxy?

But it's getting complicated. How about just knocking a hole in plaster board and encasing your key in the repair?

Attachment 90628

That looks like housework to me.

10 years ago, I did the dummy safe,at a rural property and it did get taken. I would have paid to see their faces when they finally got into it. A few years later, the guy I suspected, got arrested for armed robbery. These days, the keys are always dog-clipped onto a belt-loop in my pocket, with bolts and components locked and hidden separately- easier to hide them ,than larger ,complete firearms. Nothing is ever going to be fool-proof (within reason), but I've come to realise that its more about peace-of-mind, even if I'm only fooling myself. I have to say though, these forums are very entertaining (beats TV)..and very informative.

Originally Posted by Beaker

Put a dummy power point on the wall, and have the key behind.....

do it to a live one.......

I felt happy, safe and secure before I read this thread. Now I am nervous, twitching, looking over my shoulder and untrusting. In all honesty this thread is a good wake-up to me that my gunsafe bolted to the wall is only child proof at best.
I now wish that I had just hinged a door in an old upright steel water pressure tank and put it in the pumphouse with the door to the back and saved the money spent on a commercial safe.

How about you put the gunsafe keys in an empty Strepsils packet in the bathroom cabinet? Or in an empty instant coffee tin in the kitchen pantry? Find a place that's easy for you to access but not obvious for a troll who breaks in to your house. But the big concern is what do you do when a troll breaks in and holds a knife to your neck (or your wife's) and insists you open the gunsafe? I have set up my safe for just such an eventuality..the troll would get a very unpleasant surprise when I open the safe.....

the gang pad next door usually has a few good places to hide em, no one would think to look there.

Originally Posted by Ranger 888

How about you put the gunsafe keys in an empty Strepsils packet in the bathroom cabinet? Or in an empty instant coffee tin in the kitchen pantry? Find a place that's easy for you to access but not obvious for a troll who breaks in to your house. But the big concern is what do you do when a troll breaks in and holds a knife to your neck (or your wife's) and insists you open the gunsafe? I have set up my safe for just such an eventuality..the troll would get a very unpleasant surprise when I open the safe.....

@Ranger 888

Banks used to have safes with time delay locks to counter scenarios like that. A time-delay lock can allow you to programme it to take, say 45 mins from combination entry to it unlocking. Also possible to have a duress code you can use to open the safe and simultaneously trigger a silent alarm. It's all out there for those who can/will pay.

Originally Posted by Cordite

@Ranger 888

Banks used to have safes with time delay locks to counter scenarios like that. A time-delay lock can allow you to programme it to take, say 45 mins from combination entry to it unlocking. Also possible to have a duress code you can use to open the safe and simultaneously trigger a silent alarm. It's all out there for those who can/will pay.

Although that's not very convenient having a time delay for when you are trying to get to the bush quickly

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Originally Posted by Cordite

@Ranger 888

Banks used to have safes with time delay locks to counter scenarios like that. A time-delay lock can allow you to programme it to take, say 45 mins from combination entry to it unlocking. Also possible to have a duress code you can use to open the safe and simultaneously trigger a silent alarm. It's all out there for those who can/will pay.

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

Although that's not very convenient having a time delay for when you are trying to get to the bush quickly

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I do like the idea of a duress code....I will look into that.

Originally Posted by timattalon

I do like the idea of a duress code....I will look into that.

@timattalon

Please let us know what you find. I came across it 16 yrs ago at one facility I worked at. A particular 4-digit code would disarm the alarm like your usual 4-digit code, but would also silently alert the alarm company to send help. I seem to recall they'd phone and if no answer would send the cops, did the same if you answered but didn't volunteer the "safe word".


@Russian 22

Haha, I can see the frustrated hunter jumping up and down and his mates honking at him! (o:

30mins or 45mins is nothing when you're packing stuff etc. you just need to remember to do it before starting packing.

But it is a loooooong time if you're holding a family up and a duress code may or may not have been triggered.

An alternative to the time delay lock is the time lock, which may simply be set up to prevent anyone opening the safe outside certain hours, but that is more suitable for banks.

Originally Posted by timattalon

I do like the idea of a duress code....I will look into that.

Our home alarm comes with a duress code - ADT

Duress codes have been around on alarm systems for a long while now. The said alarm needs to be monitored by an alarm / security company and you need to rely on them turning up within an appropriate time frame for it to be beneficial.

If you need to be electronic about it, with a time delay, this would be best used as a duress code on a standalone key pad. So how this would work is that in normal operation with your standard 1234 code the safe would unlock as desired instantly.
If you feel game when threatened to open it you use the 1235 code ( or what ever you dream up as a duress ) this would trigger a seperate timed delay to open when the time expired.
I still dont think it would be a very good idea to piss off the person that has gone to the trouble of invading your home with the specific task to remove your firearms.

Unless its the Police and the delay gives you the chance to call your lawyer

The most common items a burglar will take and look for first is -alcohol, cash, jewelry, keys, electronics that are easy to carry away. Good places to hide small valuables for example keys are in the fridge or freezer, where you keep cleaning products, inside books, inside a cheap tattered soft toy. Tucked into the hem of a tied back curtain is a goody.

Originally Posted by johnd

I still don't think it would be a very good idea to piss off the person that has gone to the trouble of invading your home with the specific task to remove your firearms.

To the contrary - I don't think it's a good idea for the criminal to piss off the home owner invading their home.

Originally Posted by oneshot

The most common items a burglar will take and look for first is -alcohol, cash, jewelry, keys, electronics that are easy to carry away. Good places to hide small valuables for example keys are in the fridge or freezer, where you keep cleaning products, inside books, inside a cheap tattered soft toy. Tucked into the hem of a tied back curtain is a goody.

I know a few rural people that have had there freezer empty'd.