Burglars and Ammo

[revance]

So I am in the process of getting a gun safe (RSC for the nit picky). It is going to be pretty well hidden. That being said, I do have an NRA sticker on my car, so its possible someone burglarizing me would be searching for guns.

I am considering getting a cheap metal gun cabinet and putting it in my bedroom (seems like a place they would look) and put a cheap $100 muzzleloader rifle, some pistol cases with metal airsoft guns in them, and some fake jewelry. Let them waste some time prying the thing open and thinking they hit the jackpot while completely missing the real safe.

It seems like if I bother spending money on such a cabinet, it could be a good place to store my ammo.

Sooooo... do you guys think burglars who just wasted 5 minutes prying open a big tin box would waste time hauling out very heavy 50cal ammo cans? Seems silly to put things of real value in there when the point is diversion, but I just didn't think smash-n-grabbers would bother with ammo cans when you can only carry 2 at a time and there are (what you think are) guns and TVs to carry out.

Thoughts?

 

[revance]

I suppose a different issue is that assuming they have the brains to think of this... why would someone have that many ammo cases for a muzzleloader and a couple pistols? It might clue them in that there is more elsewhere.

 

[nra4ever]

I'd use the money on a monitored alarm system and cameras.

 

[Mackey]

I'd use the money on a monitored alarm system and cameras.

^ This

When I had a break in (Oct 3, 2012) they grabbed two portable fire safes and ran (got some paperwork and photo negatives - later found in a dumpster 30 miles away) and missed my guns. So I think it can work.

Personally I'm going to look into tearing into a wall and putting in a hidden compartment. These crooks are trying to get in get your sh$t and go.

Better yet, get security cameras!
Also I've heard some good ideas about DIY security systems. Strobes and sirens in and out are potentially more effective than ADT et al (police response too slow and crooks know it).

I'm so pround of my security cameras I'm considering posting a link to the live cameras so people can get a look at how kewl they are (it would be with a temporary password).

Anyway
Interesting questions.

 

[Sylvain]

I wouldn't bother with a decoy safe and decoy guns.
Instead of putting the money into that decoy things I would use it to get a better quality safe, alarm system and get a good insurance for the actual guns.

Also if you think that gun cabinet would slow down any burglar for 5 minutes you are mistaken.Some burglars can break into high quality safes in less than that.Those gun cabinets and many safes are only "childproof" and not "burglarproof".

 

[indyjohn]

and get a good insurance for the actual guns.

Not intentionally poking the grizzly here, but I've yet to find a carrier that will cover my actual value for a monthly premium that doesn't make the agent rich well before retirement age...

 

[revance]

I already have an alarm system however my wife and in-laws sometimes don't set it.

The cabinets can be had for less than $100 and I already have the other junk.

Yes, I know that 5 minutes is being pretty generous with the time. The point was they will have wasted time. If they didn't bring their own tools, it probably would take 5 minutes when you factor in going downstairs to the garage to get a screwdriver.

I think I already answered my own question... bad idea to put a bunch of ammo in there. If for no other reason than it will clue them in on the fact that they didn't just find my guns. It would still come in handy to put a few other things I like to keep away from the kids like pocket knives and some cleaning stuff.

 

[nra4ever]

Listing all your guns with an insurance agency makes for a nice list for the gun grabbers to review just before they pay you a visit...

Just saying. After all this is the 21st century!

 

[MCrupe]

I have found that a well trained dog, a pittbull in my case, works very well for keeping an unwanted visitor out.

 

[Spike_351]

If your safe is big enough and heavy enough, I wouldnt bother hiding it, most criminals have no clue how to open one and most dont have the manpower to move it, personally mine is massive ( weighing 705lbs) and in my small home is impossible to hide. Plus where I live helps a lot too

 

[revance]

We already have good insurance.

The point is, I would prefer not to arm some thugs. For $100, if I can prevent that and provide some cheap space to store things away from the kids, seems like a decent idea. It basically makes my efforts to hide the safe more effective.

 

[revance]

If your safe is big enough and heavy enough, I wouldnt bother hiding it, most criminals have no clue how to open one and most dont have the manpower to move it, personally mine is massive ( weighing 705lbs) and in my small home is impossible to hide. Plus where I live helps a lot too

Yeah, I know your average smash-n-grab burglar isn't going to mess with a safe, but the only place I have to put it is already fairly hidden (behind a closet). Throwing a door made of drywall in front of it to create a fake wall just isn't a big deal and provides extra security.

 

[Spike_351]

I wouldn't bother with a decoy safe and decoy guns.
Instead of putting the money into that decoy things I would use it to get a better quality safe, alarm system and get a good insurance for the actual guns.

Also if you think that gun cabinet would slow down any burglar for 5 minutes you are mistaken.Some burglars can break into high quality safes in less than that.Those gun cabinets and many safes are only "childproof" and not "burglarproof".

If a burglar can get into it that easily the safe is either a pos of the guy is a pro which is rare.

 

[Spike_351]

Yeah, I know your average smash-n-grab burglar isn't going to mess with a safe, but the only place I have to put it is already fairly hidden (behind a closet). Throwing a door made of drywall in front of it to create a fake wall just isn't a big deal and provides extra security.

I gueas it is always best to hide it, personally I would suggest, a liberty fatboy or fatboy jr. personally I bought the jr. on layaway and its the best desicion I have made yet.

 

[IndyDave1776]

If a burglar can get into it that easily the safe is either a pos of the guy is a pro which is rare.

Explain again please?

 

[nra4ever]

The liberty is a great buy at Xmas at gander if you can't wait till then try johnson.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Unless you live out in the sticks, an alarm is the way to go. Nothing you can do is going to prevent a smash and grab burglary, but an alarm will make the difference between a few minute grab of the flat screen and run vs a leisurely search and systematic destruction of your house.

Cameras are ok, but most home systems have such terrible quality they are almost impossible to get a good ID on suspects from. Plus they do nothing for prevention, only helping to catch the suspect. Fake cameras are so prevalent now that a lot of thugs just assume they are decoys, or don't notice them to begin with. I've had several robberies right in front of fake cameras.

That, and target hardening. Don't let d-bags in your house. If your brother in law is a meth head, he doesn't get to come over for family dinner night and see your toys, never know who's ear that info will wind up in. Make your house a bit less attractive a target compared to your neighbor. Don't advertise your goodies, such as no boxes for new appliances out at the trash, etc.

 

[10-32]

Listing all your guns with an insurance agency makes for a nice list for the gun grabbers to review just before they pay you a visit...

Just saying. After all this is the 21st century!

I have USAA and they never asked me for a list of my firearms, just the cost to replace all of them.

 

[Enkrypter]

I was gifted a decent safe for christmas. The locks on it are nothing to write home about but it will keep my kids friends out.

That said... I'm rigging up mine with an internal battery source and a cell phone on a magnetic reed sensor, so that when its opened I will get a txt message telling me, "safe has been opened."

If I get the text and I'm not home, I know something nefarious is afoot. I'm also setting up a webcam that is motion activated to upload snapshots to my email account. So, whoever gets in, better like having their picture taken. They won't be able to even approach the safe without getting caught on camera. And the entire system would run for upto 8 hours without grid electricity. (I'm a nerd if you couldn't tell)

A cheap gun locker is just so so, but add a $35.00 rasberry pi, a burner phone, a desktop UPS, and a cheap webcam and you have a $150.00 insurance program.

All boxes for "new acquisitions" get burned in the burn pile. I don't want the neighbors or trash-man to get any ideas.

 

[Spike_351]

Explain again please?

That thing is loud, noisy and would probably throw enough sparks to catch my carpet on fire, the last time I checked a smart burglar doesnt want to draw attention to themselves, evem then it would still take a while to cut through. And who wants to steal something they already screwed up because the they cut in to far and damaged the contents