Gun storage room in basement

[LkWinnipesaukee]

We're moving into a new house in the winter that has a rather large basement.

I read about someone who sectioned off a corner of their basement and put up a large steel or concrete wall with a door: basically made a gun-safe-room. Something like this might be a great project. I was thinking of taking some thick steel plates and finding a way to securely affix them to the concrete wall, then put a thick door in with some kind of large lock(s). I havent really planned it out, just a thought.

Some questions:

-What qualifies as a 'locked container' for guns (federal law?)?
-Has anyone else done something like this?
-What would be good materials to use?

 

[a1abdj]

I was thinking of taking some thick steel plates and finding a way to securely affix them to the concrete wall, then put a thick door in with some kind of large lock(s)

If you already have concrete walls, you don't need the steel plate. I doubt any door you're going to put on the safe would be stronger than the concrete itself. No sense in making walls impossible to get through, then putting on a door easy to get through.

Good doors are heavy. Vault doors are even heavier. Make sure you can get what you want inside before you make any specific plans.

Some questions:

-What qualifies as a 'locked container' for guns (federal law?)?
-Has anyone else done something like this?
-What would be good materials to use?

No federal law that I'm aware of. California has storage requirements, but that's state law. I believe they are the only state that has those laws at the moment.

People do this all the time. I probably install at least one vault a month in a residential structure. The vast majority are done during the construction process, but you can retrofit an existing space.

Concrete, cinder block, brick, steel, etc. Depends on how much you want to spend, and what type of protection you want.

 

[tulsamal]

It's a good idea but don't limit yourself to just a "gun room." Make it a general "safe room" where you can also secure your guns. Whatever you think a possible general threat would be to your area, having a secure area where you can retreat with your family is a desirable thing.

Gregg

 

[Geronimo45]

Basements can and do flood. Keep this in mind if you're storing valuable things down there. Have a rack for them, in case it does flood.

 

[Kharn]

One thing to consider, a prison/correctional door is much cheaper than a vault door, which could save you some money. You might have to have a "normal" door a foot or so in front of it for concealment, since those types of doors usually arent widely seen in Home Designer's Weekly.

Kharn

 

[Exmasonite]

I'd be sure to evaluate your home/environment fully before choosing the basement to hole up in. I'd just be sure you're not in any danger of any flooding occuring. Also, make sure you're running a good dehumidifier constantly to keep the moisture down. Easy way to wreck firearms, ammo, other expensive gear.

Ideally w/ hurricanes, big storms, etc, you're right... the basement is a pretty good bet. Just make sure your basement isn't a water magnet.

Just my $.02.

For the cost involved w/ doing that, you could probably get a very nice, big safe... As tulsamal said, don't make it just a gun room. If you're going to go to all that trouble, i'd build a little fortress.

That being said, i'd focus more on a nice 4x4 vehicle and you're ability to stay mobile instead of hunkering down.

 

[TallPine]

Sounds like a good idea to me. I'd like to do the same thing but we just have a dirt floored half-cellar.

One thing you might consider, is to wall off the entire width of the basement, maybe 6 or 8 feet deep. Make the front side of the wall look like the rest of the basement (but you'd have to finish the basement to do that) and disguise the door behind a bookshelf or something. The idea is that unless someone got to comparing measurements, it would just look like that was the end of the house.

For fire protection you would want several layers of drywall, and of course the ceiling of the "vault" would have to be drywalled and reinforced to prevent a burning house from collapsing down into it.

 

[iamkris]

I've been working on my gun collection and it has gone WAY beyond my safes...58 guns and counting.

I'm researching ways to make a basement fireproof gun room. I'm thinking around 10'x15'. Biggest issues:

1) wall material -- cheapest is cinder block but that needs to be concrete filled and rebar reinforced. Put a couple of layers of 1/2" sheetrock and that will be a significant fireproof barrier
2) ceiling material -- this is my biggest concern as the ceiling needs to be a) fireproof and b) able to sustain the house above falling on it in a fire. Placing this in a corner of the house might minimize the amount of debris, but it will still be significant.

Other concerns are providing power, drainage and dehumidification inside the vault. There are MANY vault door manufacturers so that shouldn't be an issue.

One interesting material is Structocore from USG. It is a plaster lathing system that is applied on a corregated steel wall. It is used to make storm-proof, fire-proof structures for prisons and other apps. It looks interesting but I haven't found anyone yet that can build with it.

Another resource on safe rooms / storm shelters is FEMA...look on their website and they have a downloadable booklet on building one.

That's what I know so far.

 

[Roadkill]

Something like this?

 

[Huddog]

Roadkill,

WOW!!!!

 

[RioShooter]

One thing you might consider, is to wall off the entire width of the basement, maybe 6 or 8 feet deep. Make the front side of the wall look like the rest of the basement (but you'd have to finish the basement to do that) and disguise the door behind a bookshelf or something. The idea is that unless someone got to comparing measurements, it would just look like that was the end of the house.

Great idea. I've thought of designing a house with secret rooms and passages. It's difficult for BGs to steal something they can't find.

 

[VT_Crosscut]

Roadkill, that's awesome!

For some reason Burt from the movie Tremors keeps popping into my mind. "You broke into the wrong gull dern rec room"

 

[Tom Bri]

Lookin at those pictures, I suddenly feel like I am on a gun nut web site.

Kinda a homey feeling, actually.

Yep, you are ready when the giant earthworms attack.

 

[Geronimo45]

You could tell quite a story with that room. "Here's some men I met in Midway.."

 

[english kanigit]

Roadkill, that's jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring!



First picture, left panel, second rifle from the bottom: what kind of rifle is that?

ek

 

[mosttoyswins]

Not to give away too much info...but I thought I would share this...

My wife and I are going to build a house in the next 6 months and one of our favorite floorplans the architect came up with has a "safe room" built off the back of the master suite walk in closet.

The builder is going to build a false wall that when you press it, it swings open to reveal a reinforced steel door that is lockable from the inside. Behind that door will be an 8X8 room that will be built using reinforced concrete and rebar making it somewhat fire resistant as well.

In this room will be a phone, extra home alarm pad (hopefully the BG will not cut the phone line, may have them buried) and a fireproof safe built into the foundation for our important documents. Of course this is where I will keep my extra guns and ammo as well. I travel extensively and this would make me feel much better knowing my wife could keep herself out of harms way if necessary. If you saw the movie "Panic Room" you know what kind of room I am talking about.

We have also talked about the builder framing spaces in the walls throughout different rooms of the house with the same type of spring doors as well where a picture could be placed over it to conceal it where I could store home defense weapons, keys, wallets whatever when we are home.

I live in a very nice, low crime part of the city but we have noticed the crime creeping our way over the last couple of years.

I know it sounds a little paranoid but better safe than sorry.

MTW

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Awesome collection!

+100000 on getting a good dehumidifier. It's not fun to get your hunting rifle out of your basement concrete gun room and find out the stock has warped and is no longer free floated, as you proceed to throw rounds all over the target and you are trying to figure out of the scope mounts are lose or what the heck is going on...uh...not that I'd know

 

[Mortech]

Damnnnn Roadkill ........ :banghead: My wife saw t he pics and said NOOO!!!!

 

[Leatherneck]

MOSTTOYSWINS

In this room will be a phone, extra home alarm pad (hopefully the BG will not cut the phone line, may have them buried)

Have you looked at a cellular backup? ADT, at least, offers that option for a small charge.

TC

 

[mosttoyswins]

Have you looked at a cellular backup? ADT, at least, offers that option for a small charge.

Thanks Leatherneck...we currently have ADT and I will look into it.

 

[LkWinnipesaukee]

Hey umm Roadkill, do you like guns?

 

[david_the_greek]

I was having such a horrible day till I sat down, crack a Bells into my glass, and saw those beautifull pictures

 

[up_onus]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thats all i can say or think.....
wow!
well, now jealousy is creeping around....

 

[loki.fish]

Wow, I'm amazed at how alot of gun owners think alike. I've been thinking about something similar to this when I find a house meeting my criteria and moving into it.

To the guy doing the secret passages thing....I've always wanted a house with those. It's the "fantasy" in me I guess. Have a basement that's not on the floorplans with a spiral staircase hidden somewhere to get down to it. But who am I kidding, I'll never afford anything like it.