Abstract: A portable gun box for safely storing at least one of a variety of loaded and unloaded firearms. The gun box includes a child-resistant latching mechanism positioned inside the gun box. In turn, the latching mechanism has a slideable first latching arm; a slidable second latching arm adapted to engage and disengage the first latching arm; a catch attached to the second latching arm to engage a hook on the lid of the gun box when the gun box is closed and to disengage that hook when the gun box is open; and a guide bracket attached to the gun box and substantially surrounding the catch to prevent the hook from disengaging the catch unless the first latching arm and the second latching arm are disengaged.