Safety Training Boosted Secure Gun Storage Habits
A national survey shows that firearm owners with safety training are six times more likely to secure their weapons.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Home Organization
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A survey of over 1,000 firearm owners in the United States found that formal or informal safety training is a key indicator of secure storage habits. While 90 percent of participants take some safety precautions, training remains the primary factor in whether owners use specialized storage tools.
Why it matters
Understanding the link between training and storage helps households improve domestic safety, as research suggests state laws are less predictive of habits than individual education. This study updates findings to show how training impacts day-to-day firearm security within the home.
Sixty-four percent of surveyed owners utilize gun locks or safes, with gun safes appearing more frequently than locks. Additionally, 51.2 percent of owners report storing ammunition in a location separate from their firearms.
The players
NRA
A long-standing national organization that provides extensive firearm safety education and training programs for civilians.
The details
Researchers utilized a multivariable model to evaluate how different education levels correlate with storage behavior. Owners who received both formal and informal training demonstrated a six-fold increase in the likelihood of using secure storage methods compared to those with no training. The findings indicate that while most owners implement some level of precaution, the specific combination of educational efforts significantly elevates secure storage adoption rates.
Timeline
1871: The NRA began teaching firearm safety.
The Home Front
This research follows a long-standing pattern where educational initiatives act as the primary driver for household safety improvements. It specifically updates the legacy of the 1871 NRA safety instruction tradition by providing current data on how education impacts modern domestic storage habits.
Review your current household firearm storage to ensure you are utilizing both gun safes or locks and separate ammunition storage. Consider reaching out to local groups to find a firearm safety course to ensure all household members understand proper security protocols.
The takeaway
Secure storage habits are most closely tied to personal safety training rather than state-mandated laws. To maximize safety, prioritize both formal education and the consistent use of dedicated storage solutions like gun safes.
Further reading
For more strategies on keeping your household secure, see our guide on Home Organization.
More information
To improve your knowledge of secure handling and storage, visit the find a firearm safety course portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by An Official Journal Of The NRA.
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