Gun Safe and Firearm Storage Best Practices for South Dakota Gun Owners

South Dakota is gun country. Between hunting season, sport shooting, and personal protection, most households in Bon Homme, Hutchinson, and Yankton counties own multiple firearms. But owning guns means storing them responsibly — whether at home or in a self-storage unit. Here’s what you need to know about firearm storage in southeast South Dakota.

Why Proper Firearm Storage Matters

It’s not just about safety — though that’s reason enough. Improper storage leads to rust, corrosion, and mechanical failures. South Dakota’s humidity swings (bone-dry winters, muggy summers) are particularly hard on blued steel and wood stocks. A gun that sits in a damp garage for two years isn’t going to fire the way it did when you put it there.

Then there’s the legal side. South Dakota doesn’t have specific safe storage laws like some states, but if a minor or unauthorized person accesses an improperly stored firearm, you’re looking at liability. Common sense says: lock them up.

And if you’re a collector? Some of those rifles and shotguns are worth thousands. Treat them like the investment they are.

Storing Firearms at Home: The Basics

Most South Dakota gun owners keep their firearms at home, and that’s perfectly fine — as long as you do it right.

Get a real gun safe. Not a cabinet with a glass front. A fire-rated, theft-resistant safe with a reliable locking mechanism. Look for:

• Fire rating of at least 30 minutes at 1,200°F — South Dakota house fires can burn hot and fast
• Bolt-down capability — a 300-pound safe that isn’t bolted down can still be hauled off in a truck
• Humidity control — a golden rod dehumidifier or silica gel packs inside the safe
• Adequate size — buy bigger than you think you need; your collection will grow

Location matters. Basements in Tyndall and Springfield can get damp in spring. If your safe is in the basement, run a dehumidifier and check moisture levels regularly. An interior closet on the main floor is often a better choice.

Ammunition storage. Keep ammo in a separate, cool, dry location. Military surplus ammo cans with good gaskets work great. Don’t store ammo in the same safe as firearms unless the safe is large enough for proper organization.

When a Storage Unit Makes Sense for Firearms

There are legitimate reasons to store firearms in a self-storage unit:

• You’re moving and there’s a gap between houses — common in small towns along Highway 81
• Divorce or separation and you need firearms out of the shared home
• Estate situations where you’ve inherited a collection and need time to sort it out
• Overflow — your safe is full and you’ve got more guns than space
• Renovations — contractors in and out of your home means your guns need to be elsewhere

If you’re considering storing firearms in a storage unit, here’s what to know.

Legal Considerations in South Dakota

South Dakota law does not prohibit storing firearms in a self-storage unit. However:

• Check the facility’s lease agreement. Some facilities prohibit firearms; others allow them. Always ask before signing.
• Federal law still applies. You cannot store firearms for someone who is prohibited from possessing them.
• Insurance matters. Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may not cover firearms stored off-site. A separate firearms insurance policy (through the NRA, USCCA, or a private insurer) is worth the $100-200/year.

At Lock N’ Leave It Storage, we recommend discussing your specific situation with us directly. Our facilities in Tyndall, Springfield, and Freeman are secure, but we want to make sure your storage plan makes sense for your situation.

How to Store Firearms in a Storage Unit

If you’re going to do it, do it right:

Use a Portable Gun Safe or Locking Cabinet

Don’t just lean rifles against a wall. Bring a locking steel cabinet or portable safe into your unit. This adds a second layer of security beyond the unit’s lock.

Climate Considerations

This is southeast South Dakota. Temperature swings from -20°F to 95°F are normal. For firearms in storage:

• Apply a light coat of gun oil (CLP, Rem Oil, or Ballistol) to all metal surfaces before storing
• Use silicone-treated gun socks instead of foam-lined cases — foam traps moisture
• Place desiccant packs inside your safe or cabinet and replace them every 60-90 days
• Consider a climate-controlled unit if you’re storing valuable or antique firearms long-term

Disassemble What You Can

For long-term storage, consider removing bolts from bolt-action rifles and storing them separately. This prevents unauthorized use if someone did access your unit, and it reduces stress on springs.

Documentation

Photograph every firearm before storing it. Record serial numbers, make, model, and condition. Keep this documentation at home or in a secure digital location — not in the storage unit itself.

Humidity: The Silent Killer

South Dakota gun owners lose more firearms to rust than to anything else. Here’s the humidity situation by season:

• Winter (November-March): Low humidity, but condensation forms when cold metal meets any warm air
• Spring (April-May): Rising humidity, snowmelt, and ground moisture — the danger zone
• Summer (June-August): Moderate to high humidity, especially after rain
• Fall (September-October): Generally the best conditions for stored metal

If you’re storing firearms for more than a month, check on them. A quick wipe-down and re-oil every 60-90 days prevents problems that are expensive to fix.

What About Ammunition in Storage?

Ammunition is generally safe to store in a self-storage unit in South Dakota, but:

• Keep it in sealed, airtight containers — military surplus ammo cans are perfect
• Don’t store it loose — organize by caliber and label everything
• Temperature extremes won’t cause detonation — modern ammunition is remarkably stable. The bigger risk is moisture degrading primers and powder
• Check your facility’s rules — some facilities limit or prohibit ammunition storage

Common Mistakes South Dakota Gun Owners Make

Storing guns in soft cases long-term. Soft cases trap moisture against metal. They’re for transport, not storage.

Using WD-40 as a protectant. WD-40 is a water displacer, not a long-term lubricant or protectant. Use actual gun oil.

Forgetting about guns in storage. Out of sight, out of mind. Set a calendar reminder to check on stored firearms at least quarterly.

Not telling anyone. If something happens to you, someone needs to know where your firearms are. This is especially important for estate planning — and southeast South Dakota has a lot of older gun owners who haven’t updated their plans.

Storing Antique and Collectible Firearms

If you’ve got a pre-1899 antique, a family heirloom from the homesteading days, or a valuable collectible:

• Climate-controlled storage is non-negotiable — wood stocks crack and warp in temperature extremes
• Use acid-free materials for wrapping — no newspaper, no regular cardboard
• Store with muzzle down if possible — allows any residual oil to drain away from the stock
• Get an appraisal before storing — you need to know the value for insurance purposes

Southeast South Dakota has a deep history with firearms — from the original homesteaders who settled along the Missouri River to the hunting traditions that continue today. Those heirloom guns deserve proper care.

Security Tips

Whether at home or in a storage unit:

• Use a disc lock or shrouded padlock on your storage unit — not a standard Master Lock
• Don’t advertise what’s inside — no NRA stickers on the unit, no gun cases visible when the door is open
• Choose a facility with security cameras and gated access — Lock N’ Leave It Storage locations in Tyndall, Springfield, and Freeman all have these features
• Visit during different hours to see what security looks like in practice

Ready to Store Your Firearms Safely?

Whether you need short-term storage during a move along the Highway 81 corridor, long-term storage for a growing collection, or a secure spot while you sort out an estate, Lock N’ Leave It Storage has options at our Tyndall, Springfield, and Freeman locations.

We’re happy to discuss what works best for your situation. Contact us today to reserve a unit, or stop by any of our three locations to see our security features firsthand. Your firearms deserve the same care you put into choosing them — and proper storage is part of responsible ownership.