Home defense remains one of the leading motivators for firearms purchases. At various times and places, our personal security and the safety of our loved ones can feel threatened even within our safe spaces or the sanctuary of our residence.
Local crime, rioting, political unrest, underfunded police departments, and global pandemics; we’ve seen them all in just the past few years, and none of them a have turnkey security solution for those living within affected locales. Thus, many prepare to be their own first responders by acquiring the right tools and, hopefully, the right training.
There are two primary prerequisites for armed self-protection: Own a gun and have rapid (yet, secure) access to it. A defensive firearm that is, for any reason, unavailable, offers no value in an emergency.
The Other Step
For many reading this, firearm ownership isn’t the issue. However, there are plenty of folks who’ve spent more time researching the purchase than planning for its implementation. Don’t sweat it, you’re not alone. Many, many years back, I purchased my first firearm — a Springfield Armory XD in 9mm. I made this purchase in response to a rash of break-ins in the neighborhood.
For safety, I stored it in a small, fireproof document safe with a two-step biometric lock. (Scan the fingerprint, then turn the key.) Nearly 20 years later, with far more firearms and security knowledge and training, and accounting for the imprecise nature of early-2000’s biometric scanners, I’m not convinced that my pistol would have been considered “accessible” by today’s standards.
Luckily, my proficiency at arms has improved apace with the security technology now available to gun owners. And my evolution has been aided by renowned Nebraska-based ammunition-maker Hornady Manufacturing.
Years ago, the firm entered the firearm security market and has grown its offerings into a catalog of lockable cases, safes, vaults and lockers. Hornady became a leader in quick-access solutions by utilizing RFID technology in its line of fast-opening RAPiD safes.
Since their introduction, RAPiD safes from Hornady Security have been my vaults of choice for storing defensive firearms in the bedroom. My wife and I both keep RFID tags within our phone cases — always near at hand, even during the night. Should access be required, we simply wand our phones with their secreted tags near a safe and, in an instant, the pry-proof, spring-powered lid or drawer opens with gusto.
Now, Hornady has unveiled its next iteration of rapid-access security featuring biometric identification. My old fingerprint safe may have put me off biometrics, but I’m here to tell you, it’s a new day.
VEXIS Advantage
The key to Hornady’s next-gen security products is the company’s proprietary and patent-pending VEXIS vein-reading technology. Using near-infrared light, VEXIS scanners map the internal vein patterns in the palms of your hands. These biological markers are more unique and stable over time than fingerprints or facial structures.
In less than half-a-second, VEXIS captures more than 2.5 million data points to verify identity. And, because these markers are more than skin deep, they can’t be faked, stolen, lifted or recreated. Even identical twins have unique palm vein structures.
Over time, the system’s advanced algorithms continue to learn and map the vein structures of authorized users, enhancing the quality and speed of identification. Hornady states that the comprehensive identification protocols of VEXIS result in the lowest “False” acceptance or rejection rates of any biometric technology. That’s hopeful news to a guy who used to have to swipe his finger half-a-dozen times, whispering “it’s me, I promise,” and praying to the closet safe to bestow its green light and chirp of approval.
A couple additional notes on VEXIS. First, the scan itself is entirely safe. There is no X-ray or radiation involved. Hornady states the near-infrared scanner is similar to the technology in a television remote control. Also, given the amount of “personal data” collected by the vein reader, privacy concerns would certainly be justified. Fear not. All information is stored locally, and VEXIS-equipped safes don’t have the ability to connect to any networks or share data.
VEXIS Night Guard
While this new VEXIS technology is being applied to a range of Hornady Security products including full-size safes and vault doors, it was the VEXIS Night Guard that caught my attention.
For those not already familiar, the Night Guard has been Hornady’s hidden-in-plain sight solution. The rapid-access steel safe features a boxy design and digital clock display; at a glance it looks like a common bedside appliance.
The VEXIS Night Guard carries on that blueprint but with some great updates and features beyond the biometrics. At 12.1” wide, 11.6” deep and 3.8” tall, it’s sized to fit atop most nightstands and dressers. It weighs about 18 lbs. empty, so it definitely has some heft, while still being relatively easy to move. For added physical security, a cable is included that can be used to attach the safe to furniture or another suitably fixed tie-down point.
Internal dimensions are roughly 9”x7”x2”, which in practical terms is enough room for a full-size pistol and a couple reloads. For testing, I used a Springfield Armory 1911 Operator AOS with a Viridian RFX11 slide-mounted optic and a Surefire X300 weapon light. There was room to spare for my wallet, pocketknife and a couple of extra magazines. A removeable polymer tray protects the gun and safe from metal-on-metal contact and ensures that loose change and small valuables won’t get lost in the safe’s mechanical recesses.
The topside of the safe offers a couple quality of life upgrades. First, there is a USB-C charging port conveniently placed for powering a phone or tablet. As well, the entire top of the Night Guard is covered by a rubberized, non-slip organizer. I love the ability to empty my holster and pockets in one place and have all my necessaries conveniently, and securely, collocated.
The Night Guard can either be powered by an AC power supply (standard wall outlet, cable included) or by two 9V batteries. The AC jack is located at the back of the safe, next to the USB-C port. The battery compartment is actually located inside the drawer, and icons on the compartment door provide clear instruction for orienting the batteries.
When operating on battery power, the vein reader will remain online and motion activated, but the clock and keypad will shut down after about 10 seconds to conserve power. A press of any button will reilluminate the console. When the batteries are low, a status icon will illuminate on the face and an audible warning will sound.
There are three ways to access the safe: VEXIS biometric identification, a numeric code entered on the keypad, or a set of back up keys that ship with the safe for the lock located on the back of the safe. Clear instructions are provided for setting up both a code and the VEXIS system, and the set up steps are similar so I will simply walk through the palm reader.
First, press the gear-shaped menu icon on the keypad. Audible prompts will instruct you to select “2” for palm pattern setup followed by “1” to add a new palm pattern. Next, you will be prompted to enter the correct numeric code to ensure that you are an authorized user. Once the correct code is entered, you are asked to select a number, 0 through 9, to associate with this profile — the Night Guard allows up to 10 user profiles.
Once selected, the safe prompts you to present a palm for scanning. Holding the palm a few inches from the reader, the system counts to five as it scans the veins. Upon successful completion of the first hand, the safe asks you to present your other hand for scanning. Thus, each profile includes both of the user’s palm patterns. Smart.
Security At Hand
All in, it only took about 20 seconds to register my palm patterns, and the process was simple enough that no re-dos were required. Once logged, I tested the speed with which the safe opened. On 10 openings, starting the clock when I presented my palm and stopping it when the opening drawer hit my hand, times hovered around 0.46 seconds, making good on Hornady’s claim of half-second speeds.
More practically, I set up a target across the room and, with an unloaded firearm, I tested how long it took from palm presentation to sights on target. My average was just below two seconds of drawing from the spring-loaded access drawer, and that included a couple flubbed gun grabs.
That is real speed and, more importantly, confidence. Confidence in the technology and, if the unthinkable happens, confidence that a means of protection is within arm’s reach.
Conclusion
Secure storage of a home- or personal-defense firearm is a balancing act between preventing unauthorized access and ensuring the firearm can be swiftly brought to bear should the need arise. As a father of three young kids and a firearms expert and advocate, I feel that struggle in my soul, and I’ve been keenly aware of the compromises in speed or security that every storage solution presents. Hornady’s VEXIS Night Guard does not compromise.
I don’t say this lightly, but in my lifetime, Hornady’s VEXIS palm vein technology paired with its fast-opening safes is the most important advancement in home firearm storage that I’ve ever seen. You should definitely check it out.
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