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Generally, when most folks think of safely storing their firearms, they usually look to the function of a gun cabinet or a safe to do the bidding.  Probably one of the last things to come to mind is a high school locker (hopefully anyway).  The fact is though, ordinary lockers can make for very reasonable firearms storage solutions.  Now, there are several locker units made specifically for police officers and armed forces to store their equipment.  The Spacesaver Freestyle storage locker, for instance, offers built-in seating, mounted rack weapon storage, and engineered ventilation systems to prevent rust and mildew damage.  As fantastic as they are, they’re not practical for typical home use.  Not to mention, all the extra bells and whistles add up quickly in the cost.  The traditional metal locker will, in most cases do the trick for the average home owner looking for a cheap, easy way to lock up their guns.

What I’d recommend looking for in most cases is a single tier model.  Single tier units tend to be at least six feet in height, allowing adequate room for long gun storage, as well as a shelve for storing other shooting accessories.  It’s also preferable that you seek a model without legs, ideally one that can be easily mounted to the floor.  This will prevent it from tipping over, preventing damage to the contents inside.  Lockers aren’t terribly expensive – a set of three will typically run you around $300 new.  They can easily be ordered through industrial suppliers.  However, I think the best route is to scour Craigslist or the local newspaper to find schools and health clubs having fire sales on their old lockers.  A quick paint job, and some foam padded interior will make it perfectly functional while saving you a ton of money.

It should be noted that while these converted gun lockers offer a bit of charm, as well as prevent unwanted casual access (primarily from your children), they won’t last against fires, floods, or serious burglar attacks.  Their protection is more along the lines of gun cabinets than gun safes.  In addition, lockers tend to be relatively narrow, only allowing for the storage of 3-5 rifles.  That said, adding a row of them can add fantastic organization to a vault room or shelter closet.  If you can find a good deal on a cheap locker to keep your firearms out of your kid’s hands, go for it.  For tons more information on gun storage, be sure to visit GunSafeHaven.com.