A basic gun lock costs about $5 to $20 for a cable lock and roughly $5 to $30 for a standard keyed or combination trigger lock. Biometric trigger locks run around $100 or more. Plenty of people pay nothing at all, because police departments, health departments, and the VA hand out free cable locks. If you’re really shopping for secure storage rather than a single lock, a quick-access handgun lockbox starts around $25 to $50, and a full gun safe starts near $150.
Those ranges come from public health guidance and from price tags we checked on manufacturer and retailer sites in October 2026. Prices move, so use them as a map, not a quote. Below you’ll find what each type costs, why some locks cost five times more than others, and how the math changes when you have more than one gun.
Gun Lock Prices at a Glance
King County (Washington) Public Health publishes price ranges for the main locking devices in its safe-storage guide. Here they are side by side with what each one actually does.
| Device | Typical price range | What it does | Keeps a thief from taking the gun? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable lock | Free to $20 or more | Runs through the action so the gun can’t be loaded or fired | No |
| Trigger lock | $5 to $30 or more | Blocks the trigger from being pulled | No |
| Handgun lockbox | $25 to over $200 | Locks the gun inside a small steel box | Yes, if it’s mounted |
| Gun safe or vault | $150 to thousands | Locks several guns inside a large steel cabinet | Yes, best of the group |
The cheap end of that table is cheap for a reason. A $7 cable lock and a $150 safe aren’t solving the same problem. The lock keeps an empty gun from being loaded. The safe keeps the gun in your house and out of reach. If you’re still deciding between them, our guide to the safest gun lock walks through what each device stops and where it fails.
What Gun Locks Actually Cost Right Now
Ranges are useful, but most people want to know what’s on the shelf. These are prices listed on manufacturer and retailer websites when we checked them on October 28, 2026. They’re list or sale prices at that moment, not a promise of what you’ll pay next month.
| Lock | Type | Where listed | Price checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lockdown 15-inch Cable Gun Lock | Keyed cable lock, single | Lockdown (manufacturer) | $6.49 |
| Condition 1 Keyed 15-inch Cable Gun Locks | Keyed cable locks, 3-pack | Condition 1 (manufacturer) | $19.99 |
| Master Lock 99DSPT | 14-inch steel cable lock with padlock | Master Lock | $12.54 to $14.28 |
| Master Lock 107DSPT | 14-inch braided steel cable lock | Master Lock | $17.08 to $18.85 |
| Master Lock 90DSPT | Keyed trigger lock | Master Lock | $21.46 and up |
| Master Lock 94DSPT | Set-your-own combination trigger lock | Master Lock | $24.99 |
| Master Lock 90TRISPT | Keyed trigger locks, 3-pack | Master Lock | $48.92 |
| Trimax TGCL44 | Combination gun lock | 1st In Padlocks (retailer) | $46.76 |
| SentrySafe PP1K | Keyed handgun safe | 1st In Padlocks (retailer) | $98.07 on sale |
Two things jump out. First, the same Master Lock models sold for a few dollars less at a lock retailer than on Master Lock’s own site, so it pays to compare. Second, multipacks change the math fast. Condition 1’s three-pack works out to about $6.66 per lock, and Master Lock’s three-pack of keyed trigger locks comes to about $16.31 each.
Why Some Gun Locks Cost Five Times More Than Others
A $6 cable lock and a $30 one look almost the same in the package. The extra money usually buys one of a few specific things, and it’s worth knowing which ones matter to you.
The cable and the padlock
Cheaper cable locks use thinner cable and smaller padlocks. Master Lock, for example, lists its 107DSPT with a braided steel cable and a laminated steel padlock, while its lower-priced 99DSPT uses a standard steel cable. King County Public Health warns that thin cables can be cut, and Johns Hopkins researchers note that everyday tools will cut a cable lock. Spending a few more dollars gets a sturdier cable. It doesn’t turn a cable lock into theft protection.
Key, combination, or fingerprint
Keyed locks are the cheapest. Combination trigger locks cost a bit more, and the Master Lock 94DSPT combination model was listed at $24.99 against about $21 for its keyed 90DSPT. Biometric trigger locks are a different price class. Field and Stream’s trigger lock roundup listed the Bison L2 fingerprint trigger lock at $125, with a street price of $99 at the time it was published. You’re paying for speed: a fingerprint opens faster than a key you have to find in the dark.
Keyed alike vs. keyed different
Multipacks are often sold “keyed alike,” meaning one key opens every lock in the set. Master Lock sells both versions of several models. Keyed alike is handy if you have four rifles in a closet. The catch is obvious: lose that one key, or let the wrong person find it, and every lock opens.
State approval
Some packages say a lock is approved by the California Department of Justice. Lockdown’s $6.49 cable lock carries that label, which tells you a low price and an approved device aren’t mutually exclusive. King County Public Health recommends checking any device against California DOJ’s roster of approved firearm safety devices, even if you live elsewhere, because it’s one of the few public lists that checks devices against a state standard.
Where to Get a Gun Lock for Free
Before you spend anything, check whether someone near you is giving locks away. A lot of agencies are.
- Veterans: the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says every veteran can get a free cable gun lock from a local VA medical center or clinic, with no paperwork.
- State programs: in April 2026, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services launched a map of 150 locations where residents can pick up free cable-style gun locks. MDHHS says those locks are provided by the Michigan State Police and purchased through Project ChildSafe, the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s safety program.
- Local police and health departments: Michigan’s program also lists state police posts, local law enforcement, county offices, and health departments as places that have handed out locks for years. Other states and counties run similar giveaways, so call your sheriff’s office or county health department and ask.
- The box your gun came in: many new firearms ship with a cable or trigger lock. Check before you buy a duplicate.
Free locks are usually basic keyed cable locks. That’s fine for keeping an empty gun from being loaded. Just don’t let a free lock become the reason you never buy real storage.
Cost Per Gun: Individual Locks vs. a Lockbox or Safe
Gun lock cost looks tiny until you count your guns. Here’s how the numbers work out using the prices above and King County’s ranges for lockboxes and safes.
| Your setup | Locks only | Container instead | What the extra money buys |
|---|---|---|---|
| One home-defense handgun | One cable lock: about $6.49 | Quick-access lockbox: from about $50, per Johns Hopkins | Fast access for you, no access for kids, and a box you can bolt down |
| Three deer rifles | Three-pack of cable locks: about $19.99 | Gun safe: from about $150 | Theft resistance and one place to lock everything |
| Five long guns and handguns | Five Master Lock 99DSPT cable locks: about $62.70 | Gun safe: from about $150 | The gap shrinks to under $90, and the safe does far more |
That last row is where a lot of hunters land. Once you own several guns, a drawer full of locks costs a good chunk of what an entry-level safe does, and it still leaves every gun portable. Cable locks still earn their keep inside a safe, on a gun in a truck lockbox, or on a gun you’re lending to a hunting partner.
Hidden Costs That Aren’t on the Package
The sticker price isn’t always the whole bill.
Batteries. Electronic and biometric locks run on batteries. Budget for replacements and put a reminder on your calendar before each season so a dead battery doesn’t lock you out.
Mounting hardware. A lockbox only resists theft when it’s anchored. Many boxes come with screws or a security cable, but a concrete floor or a vehicle install may need different hardware.
Lost keys. Keyed locks come with a limited number of keys. Master Lock’s support pages include a lost-key section, but it’s easier never to need it. Write down the key number the day you open the package and keep the spare somewhere separate from the lock.
The wrong fit. A lock that doesn’t fit your gun is money wasted. The VA’s cable lock instructions list semi-automatic pistols, revolvers, modern sporting rifles, semi-auto and pump shotguns, and bolt-action rifles as compatible types. For lever actions, break-actions, and muzzleloaders, check the owner’s manual or call the gun’s manufacturer before buying.
How Much Should You Spend on a Gun Lock?
Spend according to who could reach the gun, not according to how much the gun cost.
- Living alone, guns rarely handled by anyone else: a free or $10 cable lock on each gun is a reasonable start. Add a safe when you’re ready.
- Kids or teens in the house: put the money into a lockbox or safe first. King County notes that some trigger locks won’t stop older children or teens, and Johns Hopkins researchers say most kids know where a gun is kept.
- A defense handgun by the bed: a quick-access lockbox in the $50 to $200 range is the right tool. A cable lock on a gun you may need quickly just slows you down without stopping a thief.
- Guns that ride in the truck to deer camp: a lockbox secured to the vehicle, plus a cable lock on the gun, beats any single lock.
One thing money can’t fix: never fit a trigger lock to a loaded gun. Johns Hopkins reports that doing so has caused unintentional discharges. Unload it, check it, then lock it, whether the lock cost $5 or $125.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cheap gun locks safe to use?
A cheap lock that fits your gun and goes on correctly does its one job: keeping an empty gun from being loaded or fired. Look for a lock listed on California DOJ’s roster of approved firearm safety devices, test that it actually closes on your firearm, and don’t expect any lock at this price to stop a determined thief.
Can I use a bike cable or a regular padlock instead of a gun lock?
It’s not a good substitute. Gun cable locks are sized to pass through an action, ejection port, or magazine well, and a generic bike cable may not fit or may leave the action able to close. Use a lock made for firearms, and follow your gun’s manual.
Are gun safes or lockboxes tax-exempt anywhere?
In Washington State, yes. King County Public Health notes that gun safes and lock boxes are exempt from sales tax under RCW 82.08.832. Other states have their own rules, so check your state revenue department before you buy.
Is a $100 biometric trigger lock worth it over a $25 keyed one?
Only if speed matters to you and you’ll maintain it. The fingerprint version opens faster, but it needs batteries and a working backup. For a gun you don’t need in seconds, that money usually does more as part of a lockbox or safe.
Do I need a separate lock for every gun?
If you’re relying on locks alone, yes. One cable can’t safely secure several guns at once unless the lock is designed and long enough for it. That per-gun cost is the main reason owners with several firearms move to a safe.
The Bottom Line on Gun Lock Cost
How much does a gun lock cost? Usually $5 to $30, and often nothing if you pick one up from the VA, your state police, or a local health department. That’s the easy part. The bigger question is whether a lock on the gun is enough for your house. If kids, teens, or anyone at risk could reach it, the $50 to $150 for a lockbox or safe is the money that does the real work.