New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center

This map was developed to help community members seeking local options for temporary, voluntary firearm storage. As of February 2021, the businesses listed on this map are willing to consider requests for temporary, voluntary firearm storage. Temporarily storing a firearm outside of the home can be especially helpful to those in crisis and/or at risk for suicide. However, an individual may seek temporary, voluntary firearm storage outside of the home for several reasons, described below.

If you’re looking for temporary firearm storage, we encourage you to contact the listed businesses 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. Below we have available a list of common questions and answers, along with other states that have gun storage maps, and additional resources. If you are interested in adding a listing to the map, please contact njgvrc@sph.rutgers.edu.

1. They are traveling out of state and want to keep firearms secure while they are away.
2. A teenager in the home is in crisis and at risk for suicide.
3. The grandkids are visiting for a week.
4. A couple is divorcing and arguments are getting heated.
5. A family member is experiencing mental health or substance use concerns.
6. The homeowner is listing the home for sale and wants firearms to be secure while showings occur.
   Firearm owners can lead the way on safety. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) recommends temporary off-site storage for firearms when you are concerned about a loved one. View their brochure on firearms and suicide prevention here.

Many places store firearms – 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.

Before taking your firearms to a storage location, you should first ask about:

• 1. The process for storage
  2. Any costs
  3. Whether you will need to complete a background check before getting your firearm(s) back
  4. Any limits on the duration firearms 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.

1. If you agree to be listed on the map, it means that your store is willing to consider requests for temporary, voluntary firearm storage. It is ultimately up to each store owner to decide to store or not on a case-by-case basis and develop their own policy in doing so.
2. See below for helpful resources:
   • • State Laws Pertaining to Temporary Firearm Transfer to Protect a Person at Risk of Harm to Self or Others – Developed by Means Matter and Giffords Law Center
     • Gibbons, M.J., Fan, M.D., Rowhani-Rahbar, A., & Rivara, F.P. (2020). Legal Liability for Returning Firearms to Suicidal Persons Who Voluntarily Surrender Them in 50 US States. American Journal of Public Health, 110(5), 685-688. doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305545
     • Summaries of NJ Gun Laws have been developed by the NRA-ILA and Giffords Law Center
     • If you are interested in adding a listing to the map, please contact njgvrc@sph.rutgers.edu.

1. NSSF and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has created suicide prevention resources for firearm retailers and shooting range owners. To learn more, check out their Suicide Prevention Program for Retailers and Ranges.

Before taking your firearms to a storage location, you should first ask about:

1. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
2. Crisis Text Line: Text “Home” to 741741
3. New Jersey Hopeline: 855-654-6735

The New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center (GVRC) would like to thank Bernadette Hohl, Mike Ostermann, and their colleagues for their efforts in collecting the data used to create this map.