elkhunter

Agreed!
The training should be continuous, and monitor your kids, nobody knows them better than you.

I took my kids to the range every opportunity I had while they were growing up. That is why I can be confident of when I show them the keys, (or not.)

Continuous training is for everyone, even us, if we want to stay proficient. I used it to maintain safety and confidence for my children.

These are ideas any of you all with small children can consider as you see fit.

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It’s so much easier now days, to "Love and honor" my wife, when she is armed, and shoots a better group than I do. (Till death do us part, eh?)

"The original point & click device was a Smith & Wesson" -Unknown

edr9x23super

As others have said, when not under your immediate supervision, the weapons stay locked up in a safe.....no exceptions.

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"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined". - Patrick Henry

walrusjax

It is very easy to buy trigger locks on ebay that are all keyed the same. Figure out how many you need, add a few more so that you have room for growth, then buy them. Cable locks are good for Lever Actions, etc. I keep my one key in my wall safe ($100 Stack-On that took 15 minutes to install) and the 2 dozen other copies are in my safety deposit box at the bank. My carry weapon is the only one I never put a lock on, and that is in the wall safe as well when it is not on me.

REMEMBER, if you get a digital safe, practice opening it! Practice, practice, practice. You don't want to have to get it in an emergency or while half asleep and not be able to quickly open the safe. We used our home alarm system code on the wall safe so that we already have the muscle memory (used the code for 7+ years) for the code and it is easy to remember.

Lastly, but certainly not least, as many have said it is time to make sure your children know from YOU how to handle a gun. I took my 7 year old to the range last week and stood there proudly as he changed the mag, checked the chamber with his pinkey, always pointed down-range. I know that he will grow up with this becoming second nature to him.

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I am the Walrus...Goo Goo Goo Joob

“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.” –Benjamin Franklin

davidw

First, thank you all for all the great ideas.

1) I like the idea of some type of safe. Especially Gunvault brand that seems to open using finger prints. So, my question is, if I use type type of safe do you think it is ok to store the gun loaded?

2) Any other suggestion besides Gunvault and the Homak?

3) I assume that being stored in one of these devices whenever it is not on me negates the need for a manual safety on a gun?

BlueNinjaGo

BioBox Safes

They're out of stock, but I think they were $170 a month or so ago. I got a car safe (key operated only) for $30 bucks.

I personally would keep it locked and loaded if it's the gun you'll go to in the event of an emergency. If it's not, then there's no point.

But you have to be 100% sure your children will NOT have access to it.

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Bersa Thunder .380 cc
Springfield XD 9mm sc

walrusjax

1) Personally, I would not want to count on everything going right in an emergency with a fingerprint reader. I think you are safer with digital or manual number combination.

2) I got the Stack-On wall vault from Sports Authority's website for less than $100 with shipping. It installs between the studs easily and is very secure (however, it is not fireproof).

3) I store mine loaded because only my wife and I know the combination. If I need the gun quickly, I want it ready to go.

__________________
I am the Walrus...Goo Goo Goo Joob

“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.” –Benjamin Franklin

CenCal

I have 3 kids age 7 and under. All firearms not on my person are locked away in the gun safe. I did a safety class with my children which I regularly quiz them on.

1. I too, do NOT like the fingerprint reader on a safe. For quick access, use a gun vault with the finger BUTTONS. Loaded is fine.

2. I like the Gun Vault.

3. I don't use a gun lock on my firearm if it is already in a locked safe.

tokerblue

1. I also didn't want to bother with biometric. You can set the GunVault for 3 or 4 button combinations, so opening it is VERY quick.

2. I also own a Smith and Wesson Versavault and it's garbage. The gas spring doesn't even open up the safe any more. I have to manually open it. Out of all the ones I tested at my local gun stores, GunVault was the one I liked the most.

3. Safeties are a personal choice. I personally don't like them as I don't want to have to do one more thing when I need to use it. All of my guns are Double Action Only with no safeties (Glock, Kahr, Kel-tec, Seecamp).

nn

Check state law and do that.

SigDaddy

My boys are 14, 12, and nine. Right in the middle of curiosity. I take them shooting with me for one reason - to teach. I rent a .22 for the youngest. I am right behind even the oldest at all times on the range and I am giving constant direction and feedback. I would not hesitate to take a six year old shooting either. My carry pistol is always loaded and on me or in the safe. I will never trust them until they turn 30. I saw a special on the news once about children and firearms and boys are especially brainless when it comes to guns. Yong children were lectured on the danger of guns and asked what they would do if they found one while playing. Each gave the appropriate textbook answer (not touch it and get an adult) However when exposed to one in a play room without an adult present, most (usually the boys) picked it up, played with it, and many even pointed it at their playmates. Scary stuff!
A belt and suspenders, redundant approach to safety is a must. Be as safe as you can and prepare them for the possibility of you making a mistake (like leaving it unattended while you are in the shower, phone rings, distractions, etc.) and pray that it sticks. M typical routine is this:

Wake up
Get gun off of middle shelf on bedside table and put in holster which is on my pants
Take pants into bathroom - cover gun
Shower (I have a glass door) I can always see it
Get dressed
Back on table before I crawl into bed.

However, I confess, I have screwed up more than once and left the gun on my table for a short time while I was in the bathroom. Its the mistakes that you need to prepare for. Initially I did not want to tell my boys that I had bought a handgun. I determined that this was an unrealistic and unsafe risk to take. My middle son gave me a hug one day and said "What's that?"
Let them know you have it. Let them touch it and let them shoot one of appropriate size. But still be redundantly safe and don't trust them regardless of how much education you have given. I remember what I was like as a teen. Good luck.