Should I Use a Biometric Gun Lock?

  • by Casy Smith
Should I Use a Biometric Gun Lock?

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As a gun owner, it can be difficult to balance the desire for accessibility and security when picking a gun storage option. With more choices than ever, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of security mechanisms you can use with your gun safe. 

One security method that has exploded in popularity over the last decade is the biometric lock, specifically the fingerprint reader. From phones to credit cards, we have become accustomed to using our fingerprints to secure buildings, electronics, safes, sensitive information and more. 

Today, there are many biometric lock gun safes available, but are they the best option for you? Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of biometric locks for firearm cases.

How Do Biometric Gun Locks Work?

A biometric lock can include any security system that uses your body’s unique features as a key to unlock. Three common examples of biometrics you may see or use regularly include:

  • Fingerprint sensors capture the unique features of your fingerprint and turn them into a digital format. 
  • Facial recognition scanners analyze your facial features and create a map of your face.
  • Voice recognition software detects specific patterns, pitches and inflections in your voice and turns them into usable data points.

While all three of these options can be used for a firearm safe, the most common biometric lock for gun storage is the fingerprint scanner. Two specific types of fingerprint scanners you may see on a gun safe are optical and capacitive scanners. 

Optical Sensors

An optical sensor works by taking a picture of the fingerprint with a light source and turning it into a flat digital image. Then, the sensor uses software to detect patterns in the image, map them, and store them. When you place your finger back over this sensor, the lock will determine if it is the correct fingerprint based on the patterns it mapped in the scanning phase. 

These scanners are known for their ease of use but can be tricked using a high-quality photo of the fingerprint. 

Capacitive Sensors

A capacitive scanner uses several arrays of capacitor circuits that use electrical current to map out a flat fingerprint pattern and detect the depth of the fingerprint ridges, creating a 3D image of the fingerprint. Due to the amount of information recorded, capacitive sensors are considered more secure.

Now that we’ve covered some of the finer details of the fingerprint scanners you may see on a gun safe, let’s review why a biometric gun safe may work for you and why you may want to seek an alternative locking method. 

Two Pros of Biometric Gun Locks

There are two significant benefits of using a biometric gun lock:

#1. Biometric Gun Locks Are Convenient

There’s nothing like always having a key with you. With biometric locks, you don’t need to keep or hide a key or remember a passcode. Fingerprint sensor locks only require a quick scan, and you can access your firearm. 

#2. Biometric Gun Locks Offer a High Level of Security

The quality of the sensor often determines the level of security. A fingerprint sensor lock from a reputable manufacturer can offer a high level of security as your fingerprint offers a number of unique traits that are difficult to replicate, like a key or passcode.

Two Cons of Biometric Gun Locks

While there are some great benefits to a biometric lock, there are also some downsides that you should consider before making your final purchase:

#1. Biometric Gun Lock Sensors May Not Properly Read Your Fingerprint

While a fingerprint sensor should quickly unlock your safe, sweat, dirt, blood, lotions or other substances can make it difficult for it to get a clear reading. Also, if you use your hands to work with abrasive, corrosive or high-temperature materials, you may experience changes to your fingerprint over time that will affect the scan. 

#2. Biometric Gun Locks May Be More Likely to Fail

Like any electronic locking mechanism, biometric locks are more likely to fail mechanically than manual methods. If the lock is battery-powered, the manufacturer may rate the scanner at a certain number of opens before the battery dies. Some biometric locks offer a manual backup for these situations. 

It’s crucial to know what backup methods are available. The last thing you want in a self-defense situation is to be unable to access your firearm due to a lock failure.

Getting the Most Out of Your Firearm Storage Solution

Regardless of the type of lock you choose to add to your gun cabinet, storing your firearm in a well-made storage solution that you can count on is essential. The team at Liberty Home Concealment works hard to craft concealment flags, decor and furniture that will give you a safe place to store your gun or accessories while elevating your home’s look.

Check out our full lineup of concealment products today.

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Hanging instructions for the Patriot Wall Shelf

Factors to consider befor you start

Installing a Patriot wall shelf can be a very simple project but there are several factors that you need to understand. our shelves have been designed to work with standard pine 2X4 construction that was 16" on center. Because they were designed around the 16" on center pine 2X4 framed walls that is the process for our instructions. Installing the shelves on amy other type of wall is done at your risk. Liberty Home Concealment does not advise you to attempt installing your shelf onto amy other type of wall.

Understanding what is beneath your walls

Anytime you are doing work or attaching something to a wall it is wise to have a solid grasp of what lies beneath the surface of your walls. If you are not comfortable with the task of hanging a shelf on your wall perhaps it would be wise to hire a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor to install the shelf on the wall for you. There are many factors that you should consider prior to beginning yur shelf installation. SAFETY is the first and top priority.

Safety First

As a consurmer of Liberty Home Concealment, it is a safe assumption that you are a gun owner. Liberty Home Concealment sincerely hopes that you have a great grasp of the concept of SAFETY FIRST. The installation of our shelves requires several steps and we highly recommend that you have a friend help you with the installation. This is very important as the size and moving parts of the shelves can make the installation very cumbersome and potentially dangerous for a single person to accomplish by themselves. So please, we urge you to get some help. Secondly, proper tools that are in good serviceable condition are a must. Please use your tools in a manner consistent with the manufacturers intended use. Using proper tools can make the installation quick, simple and enjoyable. But most importantly, SAFE. So, save yourself the trouble and use the proper tools.

CAUTION!!

Failure to follow and comply with these instructions could result in INJURY and even DEATH!

Tools that should be considered for a safe proper installation

Stud finder, Tape measure, Pencil, Level, Electric screw driver, and Safety glasses.

Step 1

Confirm your desired wall has adequate support by finding the studs with the stud finder. Also, remove the foam insert until later instruction. Mark your stud locations and transfer those measurement onto your shelf. Drill pilot holes through shelf in marked locations. We recommend using a 1/8" or 3/16" bit for the pilot hole. A hole too big will allow the screw to pull right through the back of the shelf. That would be bad. And unnecessary. Please use the proper drill bit. Depending on your wall you should be able to locate at least two studs to anchor your shelf into for maximum strength. Some walls may even allow for three studs to be anchored into. The shelf MUST use at LEAST (2) pine 2X4 studs and the shelf bracket's to fully support the finished loaded weight.

Step 2

With the help of a friend, and using a level and your original measurements hold the shelf in its desired location and transfer the pilot hole locations to the wall. You should be using a minimum of two studs for this step. Each stud receiving (3) screw locations. Two internally, and the other two in the brackets on top. For now, only focus on marking the internal locations. Mark the four internal screw holes. Make sure to hold your shelf nice and level for this step or yur final installation will be crooked.

Step 3

With the help of a friend, hold the shelf into its' mounting location. Line up the holes in the shelf with the marks in your wall and your wall anchors, and install the six long wood screws into the wall. Four into two different studs, and two into the wall anchors.

Step 4

Installing the shelf brackets to the TOP of your shelf. At this point your shelf is attatched to the wall but it is not ready for any weight. Please DO NOT ADD ANY WEIGHT until you have firmly mounted and anchored your brackets into the top. Have your friend help you support the weight of the shelf until you can get the brackets tightly mounted to the desired location on your wall studs. Again, use two studs. Do not add weight to your shelf either inside, or on top, until both brackets are fully installed. Using the supplied 3/4" screws attach brackets to the top of the shelf and 2 of the longer screws for the stud attachment.

Step 5

Unlocking your shelf. Use your magnetic key to locate and unlock the bottom of the shelf. Do this while the shelf is open so you can see what is going on. You may even want ot make two small marks on the bottom of the shelf if it helps you to locate the pickup. It will take a little practice to find the location of the magnetic pick up but you will find it. Make sure you aren't inadvertently trying to unlock the gas damper. Once the location of the lock pickup is located, the magnet will hold itself in place. However, the shelf will not fully disengage the locks until you release the pressure on the locks by lifting the shelf slightly upward with a simple squeeze of your hands. Once you hear the audible clicks of the locks disengaging you can slowly open the shelf allowing the gas damper to lower the shelf to its resting stop.

Concealment Picture Frame Installation Instructions

Consider What is Beneath Your Walls

Anytime you are doing work or attaching something to a wall it is wise to have a solid grasp of what lies beneath the surface of your walls. If you are not comfortable with the task of cutting a hole in a wall perhaps it would be wise to hire a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor to install this item in the wall for you. There are many factors that you should consider prior to beginning your shelf installation. SAFETY is the first and top priority. CAUTION!! Failure to follow and comply with these instructions could result in INJURY or even DEATH!!

Recommended Tools

These tools are not required to install your Liberty Home Concealment picture freame however they will help with the installation process. Stud Finder, tape measure, level, pencil, jigsaw, circular saw, keyhole saw, Sawzall, drill/driver, inspection mirror, flashlight and a second set of hands to help with marking your wall before cutting. These products were designed to work with "standard" 2X4 construction that was framed on 16" centers.

Step 1

Acquire all the tools to complete the job. Do not forget about proper personal protective gear.

Step 2

Confirm that your wall space is empty!! Failure to do so could result in serious injury or even death!

Step 3

Clean your work area around your desired install location. Cover any furniture with a tarp, drop cloth, or painter's plastic to aid in quick easy cleanup.

Step 4

Use a stud finder to locate the space between two studs. Confirm that you have 14.5" between the two stud edges before marking and cutting your walls.

Step 5

The back box of your picture frame is the size you need to make your hole. Hold picture frame tight against the wall and use your level to ensure frame is sitting level against the wall. On smaller sized picture frames such as 5"X7" and 8"X10" you will fasten to both studs. While holding the picture frame tight against the wall while checking for level and trace around the outside perimeter of the picture frames back box.

Step 6

Before cutting the entire wall opening Liberty Home Concealment recommends that you cut a small hole within the area that wil become the full-size hole. This is done to check and confirm your wall is truly clear of obstructions inside the wall such as electrical wiring plumbing. It's much easier to patch a small hole vs repairing a large hole because you got ahead of yourself. Do not skip this step!!

Step 7

Once you are sure that there are no obstacles inside your cut area, cut the full rectangle that you have marked previously. Remove drywall cutout away from the wall.

Step 8

Slide your new insert/picture frame into the hole you just cut.

Step 9

Use the supplied screws to fasten to the stud or studs that run up the sides of the rear of the box. On smaller frames box will only fasten to the stud you biased your hole towards.

Picture Installation

1. Lay frame face down on soft surface such as a towel or blanket. 2. Hold firmly and slide picture frame in to the open position. 3. Remove four metal picture retainer clips, if clips are tight use a flat bladed screw driver to wiggle free. 4. Remove wood backer noard and lay picture onto glass. Making sure of proper orientation. 5. Reinstall backer board and 4 retaining clips. 6. Slide picture frame closed and enjoy!

Wall maunting instructions for Freedom Series Coat Rack

Recommendation

Liberty Home Concealmemt does not recommend the use of hollow wall anchors to mount larger items on your walls. While anchors may provide sufficient holding capability, Liberty Home Concealment recommends attaching directly to the studs located inside your wall to ensure the most secure level of attachment.

Step 1

Choose the desired location of the item you are wanting to mount your coat rack.

Step 2

Once you have your ideal location use a stud finder to locate 2 studs in your wall that will support your coat rack. Mark the location of each stud's center with a pencil. Use a nail to confirm stud has been located.

Step 3

Hold product against wall and use level to make sure it is even. Use a friend to help hold level while transferring stud location marks to inside of product to be mounted. Tip: Remember the adage "Measure twice cut once." That same rule applies when making holes in your walls.

Step 4

Check that product is plumb and level before securing. Once proper placement is achieve fasten first screw through product and into stud. Re check for level and attach second screw into next stud.

Step 5

Step back and admire your handy work. Now get started filling your piece of concealment furniture with all the items you are wanting to keep stored securely out of sight. ENJOY!!

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