If you have a firearms permit, you are required to store the firearm in an approved security safe. The requirement applies from the first firearm, including old unregistered shotguns, and applies regardless of whether you live in a detached house or an apartment. Here’s what the regulations actually say — and what it means when choosing a safe.
What does the law say about storing firearms?
The rules are set out in the Firearms Regulations of 7 May 2021 No. 1452, which supplement the Firearms Act of 2018. The main rule is simple: firearms requiring a permit must be stored in an approved security safe in your permanent residence, so that unauthorized people cannot access them. The firearm must be unloaded while it is stored in the safe.
Firearms must be stored inside the residence. A garage, outdoor shed, outbuilding, or storage facility is not allowed — including a garage built onto the house.It is also not permitted to store firearms subject to registration requirements in an unoccupied cabin.
Which cabinets are considered FG-approved?
A cabinet is approved when the Norwegian Insurance Companies’ Approval Board has approved it according to one of these standards—or higher:
- FG-520
- SSF 3492
- EN 1143
- NS 5089
- INSTA 610
A regular tool cabinet, a lockable wardrobe, or a homemade steel cabinet does not meet the requirement, no matter how sturdy it may seem. Approval is documented testing of burglary resistance, not an assessment of thickness. Look for the FG mark on the inside of the door or in the documentation supplied with the cabinet.
Does the requirement apply from the first firearm, or only from the fifth?
From the first firearm.This is the most common misunderstanding on Norwegian firearms forums, and there’s an explanation for it: until 2021, the requirement for an FG-approved safe only applied once you had more than four rifles or shotguns in the household — pistols and semi-automatic firearms triggered the requirement from the first weapon.
That distinction no longer exists. Under the current regulations, all licensed firearms must be stored in an approved gun safe, regardless of type or number. If you have a single shotgun, the requirement applies to you. Older articles and posts that still refer to the four-weapon rule are based on regulations that have been repealed.
Do you have to lock up the entire firearm?
No. It is sufficient to lock up an essential firearm component instead of the complete firearm.What counts as an essential part depends on the type of firearm:
- Bolt-action rifle and semi-automatic: the bolt
- Break-action firearm: barrel, fore-end or stock with trigger mechanism
- Single-barrel break-action shotgun: the fore-end is not considered an essential part
In practice, this means you may be able to manage with a smaller and more affordable safe than you might think — but the rest of the firearm must still be stored so that unauthorised people cannot access it. Nevertheless, most people choose to lock away the entire firearm, both for insurance purposes and to avoid having to handle the parts every time.
How many firearms can you have before you need an alarm?
The limit is 25.If you, as a private individual, store more than 25 firearms or firearm parts subject to licensing requirements in your household, the storage location must also be secured with an FG-approved alarm connected to a 24-hour alarm monitoring center.
For fewer than 25 firearms, no alarm is required — the safe itself is sufficient, provided it is approved and properly installed.
Does the gun safe need to be bolted down?
Safes weighing less than 150 kg must be secured to the building’s structure, either to the wall or floor. Safes weighing more than 150 kg are generally not subject to the same requirement, but permanent installation is still recommended — a safe that can be carried out is a safe that can be opened elsewhere at your leisure.
Install it in a load-bearing structure, not in drywall alone. If you live in an apartment or housing cooperative, check with the board before drilling into concrete or an exterior wall.Most safes come with bolt holes in the bottom and back wall, along with expansion bolts suitable for concrete.
Are there any exceptions to the safe requirement?
Yes, one: a dedicated gun room pre-approved by the police. The requirements are strict. The walls, ceiling, and floor must offer at least the same resistance to forced entry as 20 cm of mortared and reinforced Leca blocks, the room must have no windows, and the door must meet NS 3170 class 3 or 4. This is a solution for large collections, not an alternative to buying a safe.
How should ammunition be stored?
Ammunition must be stored locked away, and the firearm must be unloaded while it is kept in the safe. Many choose to lock the ammunition in the same safe, while others use a separate lockable unit.
If you store larger quantities of ammunition, gunpowder, or primers, separate quantity limits and regulations apply under the Fire and Explosives Protection Act.Check the current limits with the police or DSB before building up your stock — the limits may change and depend on what you’re storing.
Do the requirements apply to air guns and airsoft guns?
The requirement for an approved security cabinet applies to firearms that require a licence. Standard 4.5 mm air guns and airsoft guns do not require a licence and are therefore not subject to the cabinet requirement. This doesn’t mean they can be left out in the open: they must also be stored so that children and unauthorised people cannot access them, and the minimum age of 18 applies to purchases.
High-calibre air guns are a separate matter, and some of them may require a licence. If you’re unsure whether your weapon is covered, read more on our page about buying high-calibre air guns or contact the police in your district.
Which size should you choose?
Cabinet capacity is stated by the number of weapons, but this assumes weapons without scopes. A rifle with a mounted scope effectively takes up one and a half spaces in the rack. So calculate as follows:
- 1–3 weapons without scopes: a 4-place cabinet is sufficient
- 3–4 weapons with scopes: choose 6 places
- 5–7 weapons with scopes: choose 10 places
- Growing collection: go up one size — it’s cheaper than buying a cabinet twice
Also check the interior height against your longest weapon, and whether the cabinet has a top shelf. The shelf takes up some height, but provides space for ammunition, weapon cards, and cleaning kits.
This article is a guide, not legal advice. Regulations may change, and the police in your district are the right authority to contact if you are unsure about your own storage arrangements.
Frequently asked questions about gun safes
Do I need an FG-approved gun safe for a single firearm?
Yes. Under the 2021 firearms regulations, the requirement for an approved security safe applies from the first firearm requiring a permit. The previous rule, which only introduced the requirement when you had more than four rifles or shotguns, no longer applies.
Can I keep the gun safe in the garage?
No. Firearms must be stored inside your permanent residence.Garages, storage rooms, outbuildings, and warehouses are not permitted, nor are garages that are physically attached to the house.
How many firearms can I have before I need to install an alarm?
The alarm requirement applies when you store more than 25 licensed firearms or firearm components in the household. In that case, an FG-approved alarm connected to a 24/7 alarm monitoring center is required.
Does the gun safe need to be secured to the wall?
Safes weighing under 150 kg must be bolted to the building’s structure. For safes over 150 kg, this is not an absolute requirement, but it is recommended.
Do I need a gun safe for an air rifle?
No, standard 4.5 mm airguns do not require a license and are not covered by the safe requirement. They must still be stored out of reach of children and unauthorized persons.
What is considered a vital firearm component?
Bolt, receiver, or barrel.For firearms that are loaded by breaking them open, the barrel, forend, or stock with the trigger mechanism is considered an essential part.
See our full selection of FG-approved gun safes, or read more about the Raufoss series and what sets the models apart. If you also want to familiarize yourself with the regulations surrounding airsoft, we have a separate overview of the airsoft regulations in Norway.
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