Texans Take A Shockingly Logical Path To Gun Control

Now that it's OK to talk about fun stuff again, let's talk guns. Friend, it has been a while since we poured over and had a common sense discussion about firearms. And I promise, we'll do so without talking politics and dragging everybody down.

Gun safety is just as much an individual responsibility as the right granted to each individual to bear arms. After a rash of accidental discharges and incidents of kids finding their parents boom sticks in the 70's and 80's, security devices started to become the norm. Let's look at affordable modern options to securing your fun stuff well beyond the 'Let's hope they don't find it.'

The most basic is a gun lock. Whether it mounts the trigger, or is fed through the action, locks are the cheapest form of securing a firearm in the world. In fact, every gun comes with a lock... but they're ridiculously impossible.

Next up the list is some form of a cabinet. These were the standard across rural America for a long time, but as personal property crime rates grew, the wood and glass these cabinets were made out of became increasingly flawed. There's no point to lock a cabinet I can open with a blunt object. Luckily, cabinets have become fashionable to an extent. They're made now with moderately strong steels, and painted to look classy. Also, dual tumbler locks add a little more security.

The obvious top dog in the fight is investing in a quality firearm safe, but they're also very expensive. Sure, you can pick one up moderately cheap, but those are just thin steel veneers over pricey drywall. (that's sadly true) Pricey models are built with two or more layers of heavy steel and plate metal, still packed with fire-rated drywall to cut down on a fire risk, but also designed to keep even the most determined criminal out for as long as possible.

Either way, gun safety and security is a must. It's something that everyone, not just gun owners, should be familiar with. Stop hiding handguns in closets, it's not safe. If your budget allows enough play, think about adopting gun control habits of the Texans to the South...