We plan to relocate to our place in WV within the next 6 months or so. We are getting ready to show the house here in NJ, and I am wondering how best to secure our firearms. We have 2 safes here, and I don't think it would be prudent to have people walking through the house and making note of them. On the other hand moving everything to WV before we are able to take residence doesn't sit well either. And this doesn't even begin to take into account the bench and reloading supplies. Any thoughts on this?
Moving and showing the house...
- Thread starter stevek
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ATBackPackin
Member
I do not know the laws of NJ, but can you take them to a friends or family members house?
workingstiff
Member
Done That
Climate controlled storage is your best friend. Boxes in, boxes out.
$100 a month or so and on your schedule. Worked for me, just saying.
Climate controlled storage is your best friend. Boxes in, boxes out.
$100 a month or so and on your schedule. Worked for me, just saying.
oneounceload
member
What type of folks will becoming through your house? I have sold and moved 6 times since I had a safe in the house or garage, along with all of the reloading stuff - make it look neat and clean - that's what prospective buyers want to see; maybe a potential buyer will want to buy your house with the safe(s) included (bump your price) so he doesn't have to move his own.......
Not everyone is scoping out your house to rob it when they come do a tour
Not everyone is scoping out your house to rob it when they come do a tour
You need the house to be as neutral as possible; you don't want anyone to think you live in an unsafe neighborhood.
I would cover the safes or place furniture in front so people do not recognize them as safes. I would remove the reloading press from the bench or any other gun related items and put them in boxes.
I just went through this exercise. Moving is a hassle but a staged move is a bigger hassle.
I would cover the safes or place furniture in front so people do not recognize them as safes. I would remove the reloading press from the bench or any other gun related items and put them in boxes.
I just went through this exercise. Moving is a hassle but a staged move is a bigger hassle.
I will be facing a similar dilemma in the next few years. I plan to keep my home defense and CC pistols in a small, unassuming safe we have mounted in the bedroom when we show the house. The gun cabinet with the rest of the guns will get uninstalled and either put into a local storage unit or stored at the in-law's house.
Here are a couple of thoughts:
1) One of the local gun shops in the area offers firearm storage. This might be worth investigating in your area in NJ, or WV. Even if there is no official policy, if you have a shop you know and trust, it could be worth asking the owner. You could also talk to FFLs as they tend to have safes. It would be good if you had a definite back end as your stuff would be occupying space in a safe.
2) Climate controlled, secure indoor storage. I would feel less secure doing this than leaving my guns at the in-law's, but I bet that climate controlled storage would be more secure. You could put all your stuff in there, safes, guns, reloading bench, supplies, etc. Trouble is that people will see you moving your stuff into the storage unit, making it a target.
3) Just leave everything in your house, well organized and locked up. Load up as much ammo as you have supplies for, and pack the rest of your reloading gear into boxes for the move. Store expensive pieces in your safes. You have home owner's insurance... if someone scopes your place out and uses and robs you, at least you are insured. Plus, you might find a buyer who is a gun owner, and is interested in buying your safes with your home, alleviating the cost and hassle of moving them.
Here are a couple of thoughts:
1) One of the local gun shops in the area offers firearm storage. This might be worth investigating in your area in NJ, or WV. Even if there is no official policy, if you have a shop you know and trust, it could be worth asking the owner. You could also talk to FFLs as they tend to have safes. It would be good if you had a definite back end as your stuff would be occupying space in a safe.
2) Climate controlled, secure indoor storage. I would feel less secure doing this than leaving my guns at the in-law's, but I bet that climate controlled storage would be more secure. You could put all your stuff in there, safes, guns, reloading bench, supplies, etc. Trouble is that people will see you moving your stuff into the storage unit, making it a target.
3) Just leave everything in your house, well organized and locked up. Load up as much ammo as you have supplies for, and pack the rest of your reloading gear into boxes for the move. Store expensive pieces in your safes. You have home owner's insurance... if someone scopes your place out and uses and robs you, at least you are insured. Plus, you might find a buyer who is a gun owner, and is interested in buying your safes with your home, alleviating the cost and hassle of moving them.
#3 is your best bet.
+1 for post #3. That being said, anti's and would-be theives probably have no idea that one can reload, never mind being able to identify a press. I'd be willing to bet that if you left it there, 99% of people will have no idea what it is, and the 1% who do, are likely fellow enthusiasts.
I know that when I was looking to move at one point I spotted what obviously looked like a range bag, with eyes and ears sticking out of it. Only a fellow gunny would know to spot those signs and identify it. I asked the guy about the local shooting ranges and we got into a great conversation. Ended up buying that house! The non-obvious gun enthusiast signs work as a great subtle litmus test.
I know that when I was looking to move at one point I spotted what obviously looked like a range bag, with eyes and ears sticking out of it. Only a fellow gunny would know to spot those signs and identify it. I asked the guy about the local shooting ranges and we got into a great conversation. Ended up buying that house! The non-obvious gun enthusiast signs work as a great subtle litmus test.
Some of the ranges/gun stores around me offer lockers and even Liberty safes of different sizes for firearms, ammo, stuff, etc. Think of gym/work locker. They are in a room that is videotaped and locked to the general public. You rent a locker and have a master lock on it. Only members who have locker rentals can enter. That could be an option. I don't think a fellow range member who goes out of their way to rent a locker would be dumb enough to steal. At least I hope not. Ideally, it's for people who can't carry to work or don't want to store weapons in their vehicle during the work day.
On another note, I'd take as much stuff with you as possible. The stuff you leave, just lock it up in the safe and do your best to make it a priority to move it out asap. You have home owners insurance so you're covered from that standpoint. If you're cool with your real estate agent, I'd let them know not to "advertise" the safe. Throw a comforter or sheets over it and shrinkwrap it. And say that it's furniture that's being prepped for moving.
On another note, I'd take as much stuff with you as possible. The stuff you leave, just lock it up in the safe and do your best to make it a priority to move it out asap. You have home owners insurance so you're covered from that standpoint. If you're cool with your real estate agent, I'd let them know not to "advertise" the safe. Throw a comforter or sheets over it and shrinkwrap it. And say that it's furniture that's being prepped for moving.
sansone
Member
I would just make sure the safe is shut. They won't ask about the contents. Make the reloading table look neat & clean, they won't ask or care
OilyPablo
Member
Safe is fine. As long as everything is orderly. Just mention that you have a business if asked.
It does suck though - some criminals prey on open houses and such. So avoid that.
It does suck though - some criminals prey on open houses and such. So avoid that.
We had storm windows put in. I put the safes, reloading bench, storage cabinet, etc in the middle of the room, covered them up and taped the covering down. My wife took off and stayed with the installers. They could guess, but that's it.
ShamboPyro
Member
Well done! Have fun in the US while we here in the People's Communist Coalition of New Jersey make the best of 15 round magazines.
Kramer Krazy
Member
I'd just throw a blanket over the safes and if anyone asks..."Those are just a bunch of boxes of the stuff we've already packed."
481
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Inside of five months, I'll be facing the same 'problems' the OP is.
Got a lot of ammo (40+ .50 cal ammo cans) in addition to over 50 guns (most in the safe) that I cannot otherwise displace and the issue of some of it growing legs and walking out during a showing is of the greatest concern to me. The other issue, of unwelcome return visitors, is also a real concern.
So far, the best I am probably gonna be able to do is make the room appear as orderly as possible and perhaps drape a drop-cloth over the (locked) safe and be in near proximity whenever the place is being shown.
Got a lot of ammo (40+ .50 cal ammo cans) in addition to over 50 guns (most in the safe) that I cannot otherwise displace and the issue of some of it growing legs and walking out during a showing is of the greatest concern to me. The other issue, of unwelcome return visitors, is also a real concern.
So far, the best I am probably gonna be able to do is make the room appear as orderly as possible and perhaps drape a drop-cloth over the (locked) safe and be in near proximity whenever the place is being shown.
When we moved from Los Angeles to Idaho several years ago, my large safe was in an interior closet with a locking door. All guns and ammo were inside. It was locked every time the r.e. agent showed the house. We had a "By Appoiintment Only" sign on the advertising board in the yard. No drop-in lookieloos.
All my reloading stuff was already boxed and stacked neatly along with other packed boxes, before we every showed the house.
We had a moving company move all our household goods, plus the safe, but I drove my Ford pickup from L.A. to Idaho, containing all my guns, ammo, reloading stuff, etc. I had a steel Gem Top shell on my pickup so everything was covered.
There were no problems at all.
Good luck on your move.
L.W.
All my reloading stuff was already boxed and stacked neatly along with other packed boxes, before we every showed the house.
We had a moving company move all our household goods, plus the safe, but I drove my Ford pickup from L.A. to Idaho, containing all my guns, ammo, reloading stuff, etc. I had a steel Gem Top shell on my pickup so everything was covered.
There were no problems at all.
Good luck on your move.
L.W.
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SunnySlopes
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Outlaw Man
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The safe should be fine. If it's where you can hide it with boxes and such, even better. For someone to see your house, they have to go through a realtor, and the realtor will probably want them to be pre-approved before they'll show the house. That helps weed out the casual snooper. And a lot of realtors keep records of who they show the house to.
Open houses are a little different. Anyone can walk up and look in your house with no real record of it. We've had several neighbors come through ours during open houses, probably more than potential buyers. Most of them were just curious or nosey, with no malicious intent. Personally, I am hoping we're at the end of the open house era and will likely not do another one. Some realtors will insist on it, though.
We've been fortunate enough to be able to move everything to a relative's house.
Personally, I like seeing safes, so I know I can put one in if I bought the house. YMMV.
Open houses are a little different. Anyone can walk up and look in your house with no real record of it. We've had several neighbors come through ours during open houses, probably more than potential buyers. Most of them were just curious or nosey, with no malicious intent. Personally, I am hoping we're at the end of the open house era and will likely not do another one. Some realtors will insist on it, though.
We've been fortunate enough to be able to move everything to a relative's house.
Personally, I like seeing safes, so I know I can put one in if I bought the house. YMMV.
oneounceload
member
Your Real Estate agent will STRONGLY suggest you go elsewhere during the showing. Buyers do NOT want the owners there as they look around, talk amongst themselves about likes and dislikes, etc.
People who are taking the time to look at a house to buy are more focused on the size of the rooms, the condition of the carpet, the overall layout of the house, school district, etc.
Ehtereon11B
internet infantryman
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If moving the firearms to a storage unit is a less desirable option, simply move it to a room that won't be shown. For example, the previous owners of the house my parents now live in had firearms. Mostly hunting rifles in a light Stack on case. He put the rifles in the laundry room, a room that was not shown to my parents by the realtor. This was not a problem for my parents, the realtor, or the previous owners so it worked out for everyone.
SunnySlopes
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Your parents weren't very efficient buyers in that case. As a former realtor I can assure you 99.9% of buyers will want to see the room you're hiding.
In most cases the potential buyers will inspect the house without the realtor in their immediate presence.
The realtor works for the seller in this case. The seller calls the shots.
Home owner's insurance only covers a nominal amount of personal items. Most of us need a rider.
Sav .250
Member
Leave as is. Over thinking an issue only adds to the confusion.
On moving to W Va. I don`t know where your going to end up but that state has some outstanding deer hunting.
On moving to W Va. I don`t know where your going to end up but that state has some outstanding deer hunting.
Outlaw Man
Member
Very true, but they can also refuse to work for you. Ultimately, it comes down to how many realtors you're willing to go through to find one that's ok with your terms, I guess.
I totally agree about the buyers inspecting the rooms. About the only thing that might be safe is the garage, and that's the least secure place in your home.
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