[dmazur]

A few years ago, I had a relative visit who asked me to make sure my guns were locked up during her visit, out of concern for her children's safety.

I have appropriate safes, so this wasn't hard to do. Just a slight change in routine for the CCW pistol...

I have heard that some states have legal requirements on keeping weapons secure from children.

As I don't have any children, I'm trying to understand how the safety vs. access question would be resolved in homes with children. Does everyone have a quick-access gun safe?

[WeedWhacker]

I really like pax (corneredcat.com)'s idea: keep it loaded and on your hip (or elsewhere on your person). Not only does this keep the firearm under responsible control at all times, it also allows ready access in the unlikely event that it is needed.

Before someone spouts off to say that wearing a gun around the house is simply ridiculous and silly, keep this in mind: with the utterly vast majority of houses in the USA, the elapsed time from the moment the first noise is heard at the front or back door to the time the intruder is standing in your living room is about two seconds. How fast can you open your gun safe?

[jlpskydive]

I don't have any children either, but mine and the wife's are either under our direct control or locked up. The exception being asleep at night where we each have ours in the respective nightstands. And yes I wear my rig arounde the house. It's just that easy to wear that I'm used to it.

[distra]

During the day when I'm home I'll have it on my person, but at night it's in a Gun Vault quick access safe. The HD shotty is in the closet with a Life Jacket on it. I have 2yr running around so things are locked up unless on me or my wife. CT has "proper" storage laws that basically state you have to have it unavailable to minors under 16. When my son gets older he will know how to properly handle a firearm and when to use it. I'd rather fight the "storage law" in the event someone breaks-in and my under 16yr son defends himself than for things to go like they did in Chesire CT this past summer.

[Alexfubar]

MA. has storage laws like DC - no loaded/unlocked unless under "direct control."

I just wear my pistol all the time. It isn't a bother. It's like putting your boots on after waking up. If I go outside for an errand , a ride , whatever - then I already have my boots on. ... and a pistol.

[benEzra]

MA. has storage laws like DC - no loaded/unlocked unless under "direct control."
AFAIK, D.C. is "no loaded/unlocked, ever."

[dmftoy1]

FWIW . . .I've been considering the "Bio" Gunvault and was playing with one recently. It seems to be the best approach beyond having it in a holster on your person. It does take about 2 seconds to get access to your gun though. (Put finger on reader, press button, wait .8 seconds for door to pop.

Have a good one,
Dave

[Mannlicher]

dmazur A few years ago, I had a relative visit who asked me to make sure my guns were locked up during her visit, out of concern for her children's safety.



nothing wrong with that, so far as the gun safe is concerned. As for my defense weapon, no. If she can't live with that, she can leave the kids at her house.

[shooter1]

If she can't live with that, she can leave the kids at her house.

And she can stay there with them!
str1

[ED21]

I used to have guns sitting in corners, in drawers, on table tops, etc. My children are grown and are responsible enough and knowledgeable enough when it comes to guns. My daughter (25 then) moved in with us while going through a divorce. No problem. She does not have kids. Ok! I came home from work one day and there were two boys, about 8 and 10, running around the house. Whoa there! Where did they come from? Well, my daughter had a friend who has kids and were visiting. This opened my eyes. I had to do things different after that. Just because you don't have young children, that does not mean that they could not show up. I know some of you will indicate that I should not have to give up my routine and it's my house and I should set the rules, etc. True! BUT I would rather be safe than sorry. Routines can change with little to no effect. Small price to pay!

[cambeul41]

http://blog.mlive.com/kzgazette/2007/11/brother_8_accidentally_shoots.html

Tragedy can strike anyone.

Brother, 8, accidentally shoots sister

A Sunday shooting accident that left a 6-year-old girl in critical condition happened in the home of a hunter safety and firearms instructor.

[Geno]

Except for what is on my person, all others are locked securely in vaults.

[sevesteen]

One gun is usually unlocked when I'm home, usually on my person during the day. At night, and when it isn't on my person it sits on the pistol safe near the bed. When I'm not home or when I have guests, unattended guns are locked.

[shooter1]

If I am having company over, or am away from the house, all my guns are locked in the safes. Well, other than the one I have on my person. I would be insulted that anyone would find it necessarry to tell me to do so.
str1

[Elza]

shooter1: I would be insulted that anyone would find it necessarry to tell me to do so. I would be far more insulting than insulted. :fire:

[shooter1]

Elza,
Yep, I'd be a bit of that too!
str1

[dralarms]

I have 3 fire arms not "locked up" 1 my carry, it's on my hip until I go shower, then the alarm is armed and it's locked up in the gun safe and my bedside safe is 2.5 sec. from open. 2 cheap hi point you have to know where it is and be 6 ft tall to get it (my wife can't even reach it), and 3 her Bersa with 3 mags, it's loaded and within her reach but it's going to have to be moved, the grand children are getting close to being able to reach it.

As far as I'm concerned, it's my house and I'm not locking up all my guns for anyone. If you don't like my rules then stay the you know what home.

With my carry I also carry 2 extra mags fully loaded. (no I'm not a mall ninja, I just believe in being prepared).

[dmazur]

Thanks for the responses. I do keep everything locked up except what I'm carrying. Next time they visit, they can just live with the concept of CCW or stay home. (I like that ...)

[renegade1alpha]

I have all but one of my guns locked up in a gun safe. The only one that is not locked up is my S&W Model 10 .38 special (loaded with Corbon 125 gr. +P). That particular gun is in our bedroom in an accessible area of our closet if we need to get to it. If we do have friends or family that come to our house and they do have children, ALL children AND their parents are instructed that children are not allowed in our bedroom under any circumstances. Not only because of the gun in the closet, but I feel that our bedroom is a private area and no one should be in there for any reason. I abide by the rules of anyones house I go into, so I expect the same from anyone else when it comes to my home.

For someone to ask me to make sure all my guns are locked up is rude. That would make me feel as that person believes I cannot be trusted and that I am irresponsible.That would be as rude as me saying "If you come to my home control your kid."

[SoCalShooter]

I guess I do not understand you just let people bring their kids over and let them run around your house? If you ware watching the kids during the visit I do not see a problem. At least in that instance.

In my house the only gun that is not locked up is min but I do lock the door to my room, our other guns are however locked in security safes.

[skeeter1]

All but one of mine are locked in the safe, and I keep the key with me at all times. The only one that isn't is the .38Spl that's hidden in the clock next to my bed. Then again, I can't remember the last time I had little kids in my house, so I'm not too worried about it.

[U.S.SFC_RET]

Guns are put away and locked up unloaded. They are treated with respect in my house. Shotgun in the bedroom has an empy pipe and located in a not so very obvious location. 45 in the garage, same thing.

[Ala Dan]

I keep my guns in a regular RSC, that stays unlocked* when I am
home. Also, I have a three year old grand-daughter that lives with me; and
she has been properly trained to not touch firearms. If she wants to look at
one (and believe me, all kids do~!); I make the weapon safe, and let her
do a close-up inspection and then return it to the safe~! ;) :cool:

*FootNote: Unless I'm away for a few moments; like in the backyard feeding
or watering my land sharks~!

[shooter1]

If she wants to look at
one (and believe me, all kids do~!); I make the weapon safe, and let her
do a close-up inspection and then return it to the safe~!

Good for you! That's the proper way to handle kids around guns!! A least it worked for me.
str1

[22-rimfire]

Teaching them sounds fine, but in practice, they will dig out your guns when you aren't looking or when they have friends in the house. Be forewarned. Restrict access as best you can. It never ceases to amaze me the little things our 5 year old grandson (or worse the 9 year old) digs up and shows me.... forgot I had that...

[TallPine]

It seems to be some sort of unwritten rule that all homes in rural Montana must have some sort of long gun leaning in every corner inside the house ;)

[Ala Dan]

Att .22 rimfire My Friend-

It also helps; to be the only person with the combination to the
RSC~! :D :D :D

[jackmead]

Some people that don't own guns go a little overboard on the locked-up issue. They insist that our weapons be unloaded, locked in a safe with a lock on the trigger, and that the ammo is locked in another box. This seems like overkill to me, if these guns were cars they would be locked in a garage, with the doors locked with gas and tires in a separate place. :banghead:

[Neo-Luddite]

I'm trying to understand how the safety vs. access question would be resolved in homes with children.

Train the child in an age appropriate manner from birth. It is an on-going process. The gun safe is to keep *OTHER* peoples' kids (and some adults) from un-authorized handling.

Our kids are small (3 and 4.5 years) and for now the rule is hard and fast; you may touch and inspect any firearm only if Mom, Dad, or Grandpa is physically touching it when you do. But make no mistake--I will let my kids inspect any firearm they want at any time and have show and tell. THAT is the on road to safety--to model safe gun practices often and with the kids' help and interaction.

Guns are very dangerous tools--but they are not untouchable and hidden secret mystery fetish objects to be shunned from kids in any way. That is the dire and dastardly 'safety' message of the HCI/ Brady people and the cause of needless harm to children and even some adults.

Locks and safes have their place, but I can't bet my kids' lives on them; the majority are locked up anyway, and the ones that aren't I secure in my own way.

[dmftoy1]

Train the child in an age appropriate manner from birth. It is an on-going process. The gun safe is to keep *OTHER* peoples' kids (and some adults) from un-authorized handling.

Our kids are small (3 and 4.5 years) and for now the rule is hard and fast; you may touch and inspect any firearm only if Mom, Dad, or Grandpa is physically touching it when you do. But make no mistake--I will let my kids inspect any firearm they want at any time and have show and tell. THAT is the on road to safety--to model safe gun practices often and with the kids' help and interaction.

Guns are very dangerous tools--but they are not untouchable and hidden secret mystery fetish objects to be shunned from kids in any way. That is the dire and dastardly 'safety' message of the HCI/ Brady people and the cause of needless harm to children and even some adults.

Locks and safes have their place, but I can't bet my kids' lives on them; the majority are locked up anyway, and the ones that aren't I secure in my own way.

Amen!

My kids all know how to check/double check (visual and tactile checks). I worry more about a friend of theirs or some idiot who happens to be visiting and that's why mine are locked up. My kids are 22-24 though so it's a slightly different story. :)

Have a good one,
Dave

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I also wear mine all the time during the day. I just put it on when I'm getting dressed. To me, it's just like a cell phone, wallet, or keys. Just another tool I like to have with me. At night, I just take the holster off and set it by my bed with my E2D.

I live with just my gf, and though she's not a shooter(yet), she's well aware of safety procedures. So with just the 2 of us, having a gun out while we sleep is no big deal. I only have 2 guns out when I'm not going to the range. My P99, which is either on me or next to me while I'm sleeping, and my MilPro, which sits inside a hidden compartment in my backpack, which also goes with me everywhere.

[Black Adder LXX]

I have 4 little ones, so I keep mine locked up throughout the house. 22s unloaded and locked up. HD and CCW stay loaded and secured by keyless lock boxes in a few places.

[Hardtarget]

The only one not in the safe is my carry. Wifey knows the combination but getting to the safe and open...not good. Thing is...she will not get her CCW and doesn't want to run up and down stairs to the safe. She is in and out several times a day. Our grand children are never here unless we are home. Several problems that need to be fixed...:(

Mark.

[BlackBearME]

In Maine the requirement is guns must not be in "easy access" to children. I don't have access to a legal library at the moment, so I don't know what cases there may be relevant to it, or what legislative intent might be. I like to think that this is a law to attempt to keep children safe while compromising the necessity of access. I only have two long guns at the moment, which are kept on the top shelf of my closet, with items in front of the closet so chair access is deterred. I'm saving for my carry gun, and the next firearms purchase after that will be a safe, but I'm working on training my daughter (4 in March). She knows a gun on sight, and every once in a while I ask her what she does when she sees a gun. She's gotten to where almost every time she says "Go get mommy and daddy, or a big person"....although every once in a while her trigger finger starts twitching. I don't think interest is going to be a problem, I think it's going to be restraint!

[Hardtarget]

The only one not in the safe is my carry. Wifey knows the combination but getting to the safe and open...not good. Thing is...she will not get her CCW and doesn't want to run up and down stairs to the safe. She is in and out several times a day. Our grand children are never here unless we are home. Several problems that need to be fixed...:(

Mark.

[jr_roosa]

I have a 5 month old, but the guns stay locked up, ammo too. We live in a relatively safe neighborhood and share a house with other family members. I believe that in our current situation my child is at higher risk of somebody screwing around with an unlocked gun than she is from any intruder busting in. I even bought cases to lock up the guns that belong to our family members.

If we had the house to ourselves I'd probably have the shotgun accessible. A quick-access safe for a handgun would be nice if I had anything other than a .22 target pistol.

-J.