I keep my 14yrold son's mosseburg 20guage youth model next to my bed cocked with no shell in the pipe(I have a five year old girl). I keep it that way so I will have to push the button at the bottom to load the shell. In the night stand I have my kimber with a loaded clip, and in the bottom drawer, I have my 686 6" unloaded. If I have to, I can beat the snot out of someone with that, but it is to dangerous with my daughter in the house. BTW, All kids and wife have been to the range and can hit what they aim for.