Mississippi Gun Storage Map

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Purpose
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.
Why may a firearm owner temporarily store their firearms away from the home?
  • They are traveling out of state and want to keep firearms secure while they are away
  • A teenager in the home is in crisis and at risk for suicide
  • The grandkids are visiting for a week
  • A couple is divorcing and arguments are getting heated
  • A family member is experiencing mental health or substance use concerns
  • 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.

Where can firearms be temporarily stored?
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. Firearms may also be temporarily loaned to an adult friend or relative as long as the person isn’t prohibited by law from having a firearm.

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 firearm(s) back
  • 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.
 
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. 

Information for Interested Gun Shop Owners
  • 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.
  • To our knowledge, Mississippi does not require background checks for temporary transfers of firearms, but it is up to the individual retailer to create their own policy. Please consult state law information as needed to help guide your decision.
  • If you are interested in adding a listing to the map, please contact [email protected]
 
Suicide Prevention Resources for Firearm Retailers  
Other Maps
  • The Colorado Gun Storage Map was a joint initiative of the Colorado School of Public Health, Program for Injury Prevention, Education and Research (PIPER), the University of Colorado School of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine, and the Colorado Firearm Safety Coalition.
  • The Maryland Safe Storage Map was developed by Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
  • The Washington Firearm Safe Storage Map was developed by the Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program (FIPRP) at the Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center, University of Washington.
  
In the Media  
Additional Resources
If you or someone you know is in need of support, please contact:  
About Us
We are clinical psychology doctoral students and project coordinators at the University of Southern Mississippi. The project is supervised by Dr. Mike Anestis, Executive Director of New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and Associate Professor of Urban-Global Public Health at Rutgers University.

Information on this website was adapted with permission from the Colorado Firearm Safety Coalition in conjunction with the SAFETY study.
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.