By CSO Walter M. "Bud" Stolp a, Jr., Evidence Technician for Red Wing (MN) PD and Goodhue Sheriff Joint Property Room 

Storage of long guns has always been a problem for our department. They were stored away in lockers, on shelves and any other area we could locate them. When it came time to retrieve a firearm for return, forfeit, destruction or whatever, it was always a tedious task to locate them. Additionally, the wear and tear on firearms stored in this manner constituted a liability for the department. 

In 1999 the Red Wing Police Department and Goodhue County Sheriff moved into anew law enforcement center. With this movement came the consolidation of our two evidence rooms into a single facility. When I was selected to staff the combined evidence room I knew immediately there had to be a solution for all the firearms I would be receiving. 

While at one of the local hardware stores I observed a metal grid that was 17x4 feet with the grids being 6x8 inches. I got to thinking that somehow I could use the heavy duty grid to construct a long gun storage rack. When I inquired as to what this was I was informed it was used on farms and was called a cattle grid.

I developed a sketch of what I wanted to do and took it to the Chief for his approval. I' estimated that the materials would cost under $100.00 and that I would have storage for about 200 long guns. In doubled up on the firearms I could store about 400 of them. 

The Chief gave me approval and I purchased two of the grids along with some 2x4 boards, heavy duty fence staples and screws. In a couple of hours I managed to put together a convenient and sturdy firearms rack that is everything I could have hoped for. 

To compliment this rack I came up with a computerized grid that allows me to put basic information on a paper grid that mirrors the storage grid. I include the Case Number, Suspect Name and Offense. F or multiple firearms I color code the grids. When I query the computer as to a firearms location and it states Gun Rack I just turn to the paper grid and in a matter of moments locate the gun. 

The rack allows optimum storage and prevents the firearms from being damaged. It has proven to be the optimum solution to the storage of our long guns. I don't think this would be practical for a major metropolitan department but it is ideal smaller departments. 

Below is a chart showing the contents of the rack.
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