Lock and Load for the 2025 New York Firearms Safety Test – Shoot for Success!

Storing a firearm unloaded and locked away is the most effective method for preventing unauthorized use. This approach significantly reduces the risk of accidental discharge and access by unauthorized individuals, particularly children or intruders. By ensuring the firearm is unloaded, you eliminate the immediate danger of it being fired unintentionally.

Locking the firearm in a secure location, such as a safe or a locked cabinet, adds an additional layer of security, making it much harder for someone who should not have access to the firearm to reach it. This practice aligns with best safety guidelines and legal requirements in many jurisdictions, emphasizing the importance of responsible firearm ownership.

Other storage options, while they might appear to mitigate risk, still leave the possibility of unauthorized access or misuse, thus making them less effective in ensuring the safety of the firearm and those around it.