If you have a firearm as part of your home-defense plan, one of the challenges you'll face centers on the storage of that firearm. Obviously, if there are young children in the home or there are any others that shouldn't have ready access to firearms, a good safe is invaluable. For those that don't have such considerations (or a state that mandates some sort of "safe storage" requirement for firearms), the folks at Tactical Walls have a concealment shelf worth investigating.
Let's get one thing out of the way right off the bat: this tactical shelf is not a safe. While there is a lock, it will not withstand dedicated attempts at intrusion. The Concealment Shelf relies on the "hiding in plain sight" mechanism - given that the majority of burglaries are crimes of opportunity or smash-and-grab, the average criminal will spend as little time as possible inside a dwelling they are robbing. If your concern runs to the outliers, and you prefer something that locks up solid and resists intrusion, this isn't a perfect match.
Through the years we've seen all sorts of items in this manner. False electrical outlets or switches can set into a wall to hide small valuables. Books can be hollowed out in the same manner, and when placed on an expansive bookshelf present a daunting task for someone looking for quick cash. The tactical Concealment Shelf is along the same lines: in a room with multiple knick-knacks, bookshelves and other adornments, it blends in and becomes part of the background.
The operation of the tactical shelf is simple: install as you would any shelf, heeding all instructions, ensure level and make sure the shelf is properly anchored. Once mounted, the locking mechanism can be programmed, a simple task that takes a minute or less. The latest in Concealment Shelf technology includes two RFID-enabled key cards that open the tactical shelf instantly, dropping the bottom down to reveal the handgun inside.
As with any storage mechanism, practice retrieving your unloaded firearm thoroughly before relying on it for defense. Where this is a novel method of concealing a firearm in the home, it's unlikely you've practiced the steps needed to get to the pistol. Practice unlocking the shelf and presenting the pistol from the concealed location until it becomes second nature, and continue to practice.
MSRP: Starting at $179, depends on size of shelf and options. Multiple finishes are available.
