This isn’t a GD, is it? 
Popular wisdom is to keep one’s ammunition apart from one’s guns. If this means putting my ammo in a dresser drawer, or some such place, I have my doubts about that. I have an approved cabinet for my pistol, and another (larger) one for my shotgun. Both are inside a solid door closet secured with a deadbolt and anti-tamper hinges. What would be the advantage in leaving the ammo out of the cabinets, where it’s easier to get at?
Should I put both guns in the larger one, and the ammo in the pistol cabinet? Or would it be better to leave the guns as they are and put the ammo in the closet on a shelf?
Peace,
mangeorge
The advantage of leaving the guns unloaded is that it lessens the chances that somebody will get shot who shouldn’t. Like, say, you. When it’s time to load the guns, who do you want to be able to do that? Just you, or some random passer-by wielding a crowbar? I’d say keep the ammo locked up someplace completely separate from the guns so that somebody who finds the guns can’t shoot anybody without going out and finding ammo first. So, if said crowbar-equipped person pries open the closet door and sees boxes of ammo, then guns, he’ll put them together in unfortunate combination. If the ammo is two rooms away at the bottom of a dresser drawer, not so much with the unfortunate combination.
Have you ever been burgularized? I have, and they’ve never left a drawer unturned. Even if it’s a couple of rooms away. If they find ammo, they’re sure to go looking for the guns, and vice-versa. They are, though, usually in a hurry. It would take a real effort to open either of these safes, or the closet door for that matter, with a crowbar I reckon. Much more than, say, some random passerby. :dubious:
BTW; I don’t leave guns loaded. Where did that idea come from?
My dad keeps all of his guns in a gun safe, unloaded, as well as the ammo. That thing is impossible to get into. He also keeps things like our social security cards and important paperwork in it too, because it’s fireproof. Once or twice I have needed to get a document out of the safe when he wasn’t around. Even though he gave me the combination and walked me through how to open it, I still have never gotten the damned thing to open! I say go ahead and put everything together, if it’s all going to be locked up anyhow.
My brother & I grew up in a home where a couple of guns were kept loaded and unlocked. We never touched them nor would let our friends touch them. We knew even as wee children not to try for Darwin awards.
However, in this day & age, definitely keep ammo seperate if kids are in the house. BUT keep ammo & gun CLOSE ENOUGH together that if you need them, they’ll be handy.
If you have a safe for you guns then I would keep the ammunition right there inside. As long as the safe does its job then you are fine. I would bet the popular wisdom is for people who don’t have a safe.
First, please check your local laws & regulations. I understand CA is much more strict than other states.
I would keep your current set-up for firearm storage, but may l suggest a metal toolbox or small cabinet from a HW store like home depot, with a good padlock, in a different part of the house; for example, if your safes are in your basement, keep the ammo box in the garage. If you get a fairly big one, and keep it pretty full, it will be so heavy that it will be practically unmovable. You may also consider where you would want your ammo to be in the event of a house fire, which is ideally away from escape routes, and away from sources of fuel that could make a fire burn very hot, like the gas intake in the furnace room. Rounds cooking off are not a danger in terms of shooting the bullet, but fragments from the exploding case can be dangerous.
I would not suggest keeping ammmunition inside a safe also being used to store valuables or important papers away from fire. It’s probably OK, but I’m just overcautious.
Since you didn’t ask, I won’t discuss ammunition storage considerations for home defence.
First off, what are you using the guns for? If it is for sport then keep the guns unloaded. You don’t want any kids finding it and playing with it.
However if it is for protection then you have to keep them loaded at all times. Evil doers will not wait for you to load. The gun must also be kept in an easily accessible position. Evil doers will also not wait for you to get your gun. If you are worried that someone will find your gun and misuse it then do not get a gun at all.
Side note: If you want to protect your home a hand gun is the worst thing you can get. The bad guys just don’t go down after one shot like in the movies and chances are you will also be to nervous to aim the gun properly enough to hit them.[instructions deleted by moderator] It might be illegal for me to advise you on what I think you should do next, so I will just stop right here.
I see you already have a shotgun. :smack:
Well then for everyone else who thought a handgun was the ideal weapon for home protection; now you know it is not.
Keep one really messy closet to stash stuff in. They’re not going to look for bullets under a pile of clothes that look like they’re pegged for Goodwill.
We have everything separate…and I like it like that.
I hate guns. But they came with the husband.
My understanding with storing ammo with guns is that it’s a bad idea around children. If I’m wrong here, don’t hesitate to tell me, but I’d had the impression you were in a childless household, now, mangeorge. If that’s the case, I really don’t see a reason not to keep the ammo with the guns in the gun safe/s as long as the guns are unloaded.
But this is just what I’ve gathered talking to my friends who are gun owners and target shooters.
I’ve found a gun range in my area that has one line for shotgun target practice, and they’re offering a one day “Practical Shotgun” introductory course in June. It consists of both classrom and actual shooting instruction. From what the rangemaster told me when I called it’s about how to handle a shotgun in close quarters. I’ve made an appointment to sign up tomorrow, and also to practice basic handling of my gun at the range.
BTW; I do live alone, and I’m not the least bit nervous about handling a gun. In fact, I’m excited about finally shooting the thing. I accept, though, that you can always learn something new.
A gun is useless if it’s unloaded. Think about it…
Now having said that, all of my guns are unloaded. But that’s because we have three young children. But if we didn’t have children, all the guns would be loaded. I mean, why not? 
You thought that telling someone how to make a sawed-off shotgun was o.k.?
I don’t think so. Please refrain from giving such advice in the future.