The use of gun safes is on the rise in the United States and rightfully so. With accidental firearm incidences making headlines as well as the prevailing heightened state of security in the world today, the importance of having your firearm securely locked away out of harms reach—and, conversely, within reach when you need to defend yourself—has perhaps never been more important. In addition to traditional locking safes, the need for added security of personal firearms has given rise to the biometric safe, which uses a fingerprint or some other type of biometric scanning technology as an unlocking mechanism. So how do you decide which type of safe is right for you? By taking a hard look at your needs and comparing the features of the two safes side by side, you’ll be able to come up with a reasonable answer to this question.
Access in a Hurry
The primary difference between a biometric safe and a locking safe is the way in which the safe is accessed. One of the main advantages of a biometric safe is that you can get into it in a hurry, even under duress, without fumbling for a key or having to remember a combination. Most biometric safes operate by using a fingerprint to open the safe; by firmly pressing a forefinger on a keypad, instant access to the safe is granted. Therefore, you need not have a key to open it, although most biometric safes now come with a backup key for added security. A drawback of this type of safe, however, is that only those persons whose fingerprints are registered in the safe can open it. This could potentially limit you and your family’s options during a time of crisis.
Traditional, Failsafe Security
In contrast to biometric safes, locking safes use traditional key or combination locking methods to ensure the safety of your items. The advantage of a locking safe is that it provides reliable access using a preset key or combination. In short, no one can access your safe unless you give them the combination or key. Conversely, however, a disadvantage of locking safes is that those who may have inadvertently found the key or combination to your safe may gain access to it—and its contents—at any given time. These factors should be weighed when considering this type of safe.
Two Products, One Common Goal
Although biometric safes and locking safes differ in form, the function of these two products is similar—that is, to provide safe and secure storage for your firearm or firearms. Both types of safes come in a variety of sizes and materials, so it’s important to consider your exact storage needs before deciding on one. For instance, are you interested in a portable or stationary safe and do you need one that holds five rifles or one handgun? Finally, the price range of both types of safes varies by size and function, although, not surprisingly, biometric safes are generally a little more expensive given their advanced technology.
Understanding the differences between these two types of safes can help you decide which is right for you. No matter what style of safe you choose, the added security and overall peace of mind that either provides can be priceless.
