This map was developed to help community members seeking local options for temporary, voluntary firearm storage.
Out-of-home gun storage can be especially helpful to persons in crisis at risk for suicide. As of the spring of 2020, the businesses and law enforcement agencies listed on this map are willing to consider requests for temporary, voluntary gun storage.
If you’re looking for temporary gun storage, we encourage you to contact the listed business and law enforcement agencies for further information. Due to safety concerns with COVID-19, some of the locations on the map may have different hours. Please contact them directly.
If you represent a business or law enforcement agency that is interested in being added to this map, please email mdsafegunstorage@gmail.com.
Why do gun owners sometimes want to store firearms away from the home?
• Someone in the home is experiencing mental health or substance use concerns
• A teenager in the home is in crisis and at risk for suicide
• They are travelling out of state and want to keep firearms secure while they are away
• Grandkids or young children are visiting for a week
• There’s a situation of domestic or partner violence and concern about having a gun in the house
• The homeowner is listing the home for sale and wants firearms to be secure while showings occur
Gun owners can lead the way on safety. The National Shooting Sports Foundation recommends considering temporary off-site storage for firearms when you are concerned about a loved one. You can find more information on firearms and suicide prevention in this brochure from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Where can guns be stored?
Many places store guns – gun shops, shooting ranges, police departments, and special storage facilities. Pawn shops and self-storage units may also provide storage. View the map to find options in your area. Guns may also be temporarily loaned to an adult friend or relative as long as the person isn’t prohibited by law from having a gun.
When I’m looking for storage options, what questions should I ask?
Before taking your firearms to a storage location, you should first ask about:
• the process for storage
• any costs
• whether you will need to complete a background check before getting your gun(s) back
• any limits on the duration guns can be stored at the location
Many retailers consider offering storage on a case-by-case basis; please reach out to them to discuss whether they can accommodate your request.
How should I bring my firearm to a safe storage location?
• Always call in advance to arrange a time to bring in your firearms for storage. Do not bring loaded firearms into a gun shop, police station, or other safe storage location.
• If you must leave your firearm in your vehicle while making safe storage arrangements, lock the firearms in a case and/or store them in a locked compartment of your vehicle so they are not visible from outside your car. Some locations may provide pick-up services; you may inquire about that when you call.
Do you know of storage options that aren’t on the map?
To add a listing to the map, please contact mdsafegunstorage@gmail.com.
The Maryland safe storage map is brought to you by Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Information on this website was adapted with permission from the Colorado Firearm Safety Coalition in conjunction with the SAFETY study.
Additional Resources
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 | suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 | www.crisistextline.org
Maryland Crisis Hotline: 2-1-1, press 1 | text your zip code to 898-211 | https://pressone.211md.org/
The information contained here is not intended to be nor is it a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. The contents of this website should not be construed as or solely relied upon for medical or legal advice. The information presented on this website may not reflect the most current legal developments. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider with any questions about medical conditions, and always seek the advice of an attorney with any question about legal issues.