Euclid Police Department respects the 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms. However, when not in immediate possession, the weapon must be stored securely and responsibly. Properly storing firearms is a responsibility every gun owner should take seriously. Leaving a handgun inside a dresser drawer or closet is not safe or secure, and storing handguns inside the glovebox or center console of a car is incredibly dangerous. Yet, many gun owners in Euclid are doing just that. There have been 83 firearms documented as stolen in Euclid over 9½ months with 52% taken from inside an automobile, 25% from victims’ residences, and 4% from businesses. In 19% of the stolen firearm incidents a person familiar to the victim stole the handgun.
Gun safes, gun cabinets and other handgun locking options can make all the difference between safety and tragedy. Keeping firearms stored property not only protects your family and guests; it prohibits them from removing the gun form your home. Guns left inside automobiles puts the entire community and police officers at risk when they are stolen becoming a weapon for criminals on the street.
Storing guns in a gun safe keeps them protected and would comply with Euclid’s ordinance for securing a dangerous firearm. Ordinance 571.06 states: No person, in acquiring, possessing, carrying, or using any dangerous ordnance or firearm, shall negligently fail to take proper precautions: (1) To secure the dangerous ordnance or firearm against theft, or against its acquisition or use by any unauthorized or incompetent person and (2) To insure the safety of persons and property. Gun owners who fail to secure a firearm can receive a citation under 571.06.
Euclid’s Ordinance 571.04 provides guidance regarding firearms in a motor vehicle and the first part states: No person shall knowingly discharge a firearm while in or on a motor vehicle. (b) No person shall knowingly transport or have a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle in such a manner that the firearm is accessible to the operator or any passenger without leaving the vehicle. (c) No person shall knowingly transport or have a firearm in a motor vehicle, unless the person may lawfully possess that firearm under applicable law of this state or the United States, the firearm is unloaded, and the firearm is carried in one of the following ways: (1) In a closed package, box or case. (2) In a compartment that can be reached only by leaving the vehicle. (3) In plain sight and secured in a rack or holder made for the purpose. Ordinance 571.04 has additional articles that should be reviewed by gun owners.
Gun owners can make Euclid safer by securing firearms properly and responsibly. Here are some points to consider when researching and purchasing a gun safe.
- The number and size of the guns and accessories you own
- The size and capacity of the safe or lock box
- The location of safe in your home
- Portable or immovable safe
- Quick access or mounting features for under bed or desk
- Long gun safe for rifles and shotguns
- Locking mechanisms
- Keys, combination lock, electronic pad, biometric
- Safe construction
- Thick doors, solid steel walls, multiple bolts, mounting hardware
- Other features
- Smart vault controlled through phone or computer
- Adjustable shelves
- Extra compartments
- Alarms and monitoring system