Arms at the ready...with children

[freakshow10mm]

I need help with a problem I've been wrestling with for some time.

I have a 2yo son at home, will be 3 in October. All guns are locked up, carry gun is either on my person or locked in safe on nightstand with key about 7 feet up on a shelf (out of reach for him).

I've never hid guns from my son. He has, since day one, watched me arm up when getting dressed, watches me assemble ARs, clean guns, do transfers. I let him shoot my suppressed .22 I made specially for him. Being 2 years old, he has never touched a gun without my permission; we check the chamber together, etc.

Anyways, I'm getting more and more serious about home defense. Currently I just have my pistol locked in the safe of my bedroom. The nightstand is an octagonal table that has a "cubby hole" in the corner of the room that I could store a long gun for primary defense.

My question is what is the best way to store an AR in a ready condition with a child around?

One of my thoughts was to have a loaded mag and empty chamber, but with hammer cocked and safety engaged. If I have to investigate I'd be able to quietly chamber a round and the weapon would be on safe from the get go. I'd bring the rifle out of the safe at night, put it in the corner by the nightstand, then put it back in the safe for the day while I am armed with my pistol. If I think there's an intruder, I grab the rifle and investigate, my wife gets my pistol and heads to our son's room for his protection.

[rob_s]

I have gone about this a few ways. One of which was to use one of those locking cabinets that use the round keys. I kept the key on my regular everyday key ring and the keys stayed in the lock at night. Simple matter to turn the key, retrieve the gun, and in the morning the keys went with me when I left the bedroom.

The solution I like the best is having an actual safe with an electronic lock in the bedroom.

This is what I want. About $500 shipped, small enough to hide away, etc. I would like to know more about this though as it's an in-wall and has an electronic lock.

[HiggsBoson]

I have gone about this a few ways. One of which was to use one of those locking cabinets that use the round keys. I kept the key on my regular everyday key ring and the keys stayed in the lock at night. Simple matter to turn the key, retrieve the gun, and in the morning the keys went with me when I left the bedroom.

The solution I like the best is having an actual safe with an electronic lock in the bedroom.

This is what I want. About $500 shipped, small enough to hide away, etc. I would like to know more about this though as it's an in-wall and has an electronic lock.

I have the pistol-sized GunVault GV2000C- DLX next to my bed . It works great for keeping my pistol(s) locked up but quickly accessible. I've been eyeballing the larger ones too, but I really want to see one in person before I do. Rob_s, if you do end up buying one of those, I'd love to see a review of it.

[wake.joe]

You're already doing the number 1 idea; Teaching the kid!

Good on you.

But, and this might upset people, I don't lock up my guns. I built a wooden "crate" that they sit in at the foot of our bed. I could easily pad lock it and be done, but I don't.

My carry gun sits on the night stand. Sometimes when I get home, though, I head straight for the couch and plop down. Sit on my laptop, etc. But take off my gun and holster, and set them next to me. When the Wife and Kid get home, he knows not to touch. Nothing needs to be said. Two times now, he asked "Dad, move it?" and pointed at my gun so he could sit down. He's just over three years old.

Just wanted to share. I fully support locking up guns, 100%. But I also think there can be other ways to be safe. My father never locked up any guns, and I knew right where they were. I don't ever remember being curious or anything.

[Jeremy]

My experiences echo Wake.Joe's. My son is 4 and a half now and we have never locked up the guns. They have never been within his easy reach, especially when he was learning to crawl.

As soon as he showed he could follow simple rules, we began letting him handle the guns. He has helped me load mags for years now and really likes to help. His biggest fascination is working the lights on all of the guns.

He knows the rules that he doesn't touch them without asking first and then having adult supervision. He has never snuck into the closet to look at or handle them. There is no curiousity. The guns were never locked up for me and my sister and the rules were the same, just ask.

Pistols are kept loaded out of his reach although he could easily climb and get them, he just has no desire. Rifles are all kept with empty chambers and loaded mags.

My wife and I figure we will take him to the range next year.

[Savior 6]

I'd go with the key in the lock idea. When you leave your keys go with you and the safe is locked.

[BLACK LION]

I have an almost 3 year old daughter... Mom and I agree that I will not keep any of my rigs "hot" but I will keep a loaded mag in it ready to rack...
Mom understands what it takes to rack my .45, 12ga and AR15 so she knows our child is unable to load my firearms. She also understands the safety features.
I have made it a point to show our child as much as she will absorb and she knows not to ever touch "daddys stuff"...not just my rigs but the locks to my gear locker or safe...in fact she knows not to even put her hand on the surface... She doesnt touch my other tools or cleaning materials either....

It only takes a plit second to rack and gives the audible alert that your are coming out loaded...
I normally cover my rig with a t-shirt and put it inconspicuously next to me under our bed when I lay down for the night...
If I am just hanging around my house I either have is slung and hung / holstered or standing tall in the locker...

[freakshow10mm]

The key in the lock was good until he started walking. I have a concern that he would access the weapon if he comes in the room when I'm still sleeping unaware of his presence. Maybe an electronic lock would be good, with a key backup because batteries fail.

[mpom]

I have 2 Amsec handgun safes, one upstairs in the bathroom adjoining my bedroom and one downstairs in the kitchen. The safes are Simplex operated; no keys or batteries. Inside are loaded handguns and spare ammo. A flashlight is next to each safe. Longarms are kept in a locked closet. Before kids I would rarely leave a loaded pistol unsecured, but no more. The kids shoot and I don't really worry about them, rather their friends who are not as disciplined.

Mark

[esskay]

The solution I like the best is having an actual safe with an electronic lock in the bedroom.

This is what I want. About $500 shipped, small enough to hide away, etc. I would like to know more about this though as it's an in-wall and has an electronic lock.

This is what I did. Cannon used to make an in-wall rifle-sized safe with electronic lock. Unfortunately, they must have discontinued it because I don't see it in their product line up anymore. I liked it because it was made by an established gun safe maker with similar type of construction.

Another option in addition to what Rob posted:
http://www.vlineind.com/html/products.html

There was another maker based in CA but I just searched and couldn't find it, guess they discontinued as well...

The one Rob posted looks interesting with the concealment option! Just looked more carefully, doesn't show a price unfortunately. It does looks pretty shallow, so would have to make sure it will accommodate an AR-pattern rifle. e.g. if someone has a 3 or 6 o'clock mounted flashlight, not sure it would fit...