Wow, you have a situation.  I know statistics are boring, but they show that those in your house stand a much greater chance of being injured with those weapons then then you ever engaging in the great gun fight.  That is, if they are left unattended to prying hands.  I can remember when I was a kid, I could unwrap a persent and re-wrap so no one would know I had done it.  Knowing what I had done, I can only assume what those kids would do if weapons were left unlocked.  I don't keep weapons next to the bed.  I have never been a supporter the the quick draw from the pillow group.  I have heard to many stories of husbands shooting at wives by mistake, being half asleep to by into the need.  I like to take several steps before I start pointing a weapon at anything, that way I know I'm awake.  I suggest that you get one of the small safes that have a palm indent conbination locking sustem.  You can bolt them under beds or on walls.  They are fast to open, three buttons, and give you good security.  And best of all they are cheap, less then $125.00.  Best of luck with your new guests, and the responsibility they bring to the table

Educate the kids.  A safe is well and good, but educating the kids is tantamount to safety.

Eddie Eagle sez:

If you see a gun:
STOP!
Don't Touch.
Leave the Area.
Tell an Adult.

Quoted: 100% agreed; does this work for 4 year olds...or 2 year olds?  Does it spook them at all?  Just needing to learn what they are capable of, since I don't have any kids of my own.

Yes - we have been educating our two daughters (4 and 5) since they started walking; started with "Nono" and moved to education on what different kinds of guns look like (a pistol vs. a hunting rifle, for example) and moved on to drilling about what to do if you see one.  Also, what to do if they see another kid touch a gun, like a big kid.  We've been training with more of an eye towards our kids eventually shooting, and have recently started showing them what the business end of a gun is and how you never want to see the hole part, or be in front of it.  

We did this with an eye towards instilling respect rather than fear (it can hurt you if you mess around with it, just like the sharp knives that mommy and daddy use to make dinner).  If you get them spooked about something, eventually they will try to conquer that fear by pushing limits.  If it's just a tool to them, they will handle it better, IMO.

Probably more long-winded than you need, but basically, it will work with even very little kids; if they can understand not to get near the stove or a sharp knife or a strange dog, they can understand staying away from a gun and telling a grownup they saw one.  Kids are pretty smart, and sometimes scarily so!  

When people come to my house with kids, which is rare, I have to spend a lot of time hiding and securing.

When my daughter brings her teenage friends over she instructs them that any firearm in the house they see is off limits and loaded with a round in the chamber.


Guess I'm dangerous