[dcook22]

Hi all,

I'm taking my CCW class tomorrow morning and will be purchasing my first handgun soon. (probably a 92fs, but we'll see) My wife currently claims to have no interest in shooting, but I've also pretty much convinced her that she should come to the range one day and rent a .22. She's up for that if not excited.

But my real concern is my son. He's 2 1/2 and my daughter is 6 months old. There is simply nothing more important to me than his safety. In fact, that's one of the main reasons I decided to get my CCW and learn to shoot. The problem, though, is that a loaded gun is obviously a danger to a 2 yr old. I want the gun for home defense (until I get a Mossberg Cruiser or Persuader) but I'm still unsure as to the best way to store it. I've got three competing problems:

1. Safety
2. Security
3. Money

I'd love a gun safe, but they're pricey and sort of make it tough to have the gun "at hand" in the event of a break-in.

I guess a trigger lock is sufficient to defeat a 2 yr old's efforts to get at my gun, but it's also difficult to open and have the gun ready in the few seconds it would take for an intruder to make it from the front door to my bedroom (or worse, my son's).

Keeping the gun unloaded and in it's case is pointless for home defense.

I've been looking into a small gun safe. Some have biometric methods of opening while others have push-button combo locks. I've seem prices from $150 to $500. Again, I'm not rich and I've promised my wife I'd only spend money budgeted for the guns specifically. I'm not tapping into savings for this stuff.

So my question is: What is the safest way to have my gun in the house to protect my wife and kids, but also protect my young son from accidentally hurting himself?

Your thoughts and recommendations are welcome.

Thanks,

Dan

 

[brownie]

If you purchase a gun with a mag safety feature, just removing the mag disables the firearm, making it safe for anyone to handle it even with a round in the chamber.

Just something to consider in your choices.

Brownie

 

[dcook22]

Thanks for the fast reply. What guns have that type of safety.

And until my son is older, leaving the gun in the nightstand with a loaded magazine near it is feasible for now. I gan grab the gun, slap in a magazine and rack the slide very quickly. but once he's 4 or 5 yrs old, that's a FAR too risky way to store the gun.

Dan

 

[brownie]

Browning High power

Smith and Wesson semi autos [ most if not all models including the new M+P series ]

Ruger SR9's

Bersa 380's

Brownie

 

[SuperTrkrE2812]

I gan grab the gun, slap in a magazine and rack the slide very quickly. but once he's 4 or 5 yrs old, that's a FAR too risky way to store the gun.

Dan

I think what brownie was implying is that in these types of guns, you keep it cocked, one in the chamber, and just remove the magazine, when you remove the magazine the gun CAN NOT be fired, no matter what you do until the magazine is put back in, that way if an intruder breaks in, you don't have to "rack the slide" and possibly let the intruder know you are getting a bead on him or that he has been detected. That way you have the element of surprise.:ak
Just for your information, a Glock does not have this safety feature, it can be fired with out the magazine being installed.

 

[brownie]

I think what brownie was implying is that in these types of guns, you keep it cocked, one in the chamber, and just remove the magazine, when you remove the magazine the gun CAN NOT be fired, no matter what you do until the magazine is put back in, that way if an intruder breaks in, you don't have to "rack the slide" and possibly let the intruder know-------

That's correct SuperTrkrE2812

Brownie

 

[JMCrooks]

If you look around you can find a 1 or 2 gun lock box that will fit in a night stand for less then $60. I got this one at Gander Mountain For $79.99. It sits on top of my dresser and is bolted into the wall.
http://www.gandermountain.com/modpe...?cname=Safes-Accessories&r=browse&aID=503AA4D
Jeff

 

[dcook22]

I think what brownie was implying is that in these types of guns, you keep it cocked, one in the chamber, and just remove the magazine, when you remove the magazine the gun CAN NOT be fired, no matter what you do until the magazine is put back in, that way if an intruder breaks in, you don't have to "rack the slide" and possibly let the intruder know you are getting a bead on him or that he has been detected. That way you have the element of surprise.:ak
Just for your information, a Glock does not have this safety feature, it can be fired with out the magazine being installed.

I see what you mean, thanks for clearing that up. Again, my ignorance is showing. I was also saying that I can leave any gun with the mag on the side, not just one of the model's brownie mentioned since my son is too young to insert a magazine and rack the slide on any gun. But your point about the element of surprise is a very good one. It's definitely something to keep in mind. Thanks. I'm still new to all this and these details don't come naturally yet.

And for some reason I just don't like Glocks. I could completely change my mind after firing a few of them, but for right now I don't have my sights set on a Glock. (pardon the pun.)

Again, thanks for the reply.

Dan

 

[dcook22]

If you look around you can find a 1 or 2 gun lock box that will fit in a night stand for less then $60. I got this one at Gander Mountain For $79.99. It sits on top of my dresser and is bolted into the wall.
http://www.gandermountain.com/modpe...?cname=Safes-Accessories&r=browse&aID=503AA4D
Jeff

Something like this might be exactly what I'm looking for, thanks!

Dan

 

[NkmG19]

You can try a Gun Vault Standard Minivault Pistol Safe. It's available at Impact Guns or other online stores.

 

[Cthulhu]

Also, with the Ruger SR9 and Bersa 380, should you want to remove the magazine disconnect "feature" (hate 'em...can't stand 'em...spit on 'em) from either of these guns at some point in the future, it's tremendously easy.

-JT

 

[T.S.]

So my question is: What is the safest way to have my gun in the house to protect my wife and kids, but also protect my young son from accidentally hurting himself?
Your thoughts and recommendations are welcome.
Thanks,
Dan

Dan,

If you have a concern about having a loaded handgun in the house with children, then may I suggest that during the time that they are awake, that you keep the handgun on your person in an inside the waist band holster.

At night time, when all are asleep in bed, you can then keep the loaded handgun in the nightstand or somewhere closeby for home defense in case of an intruder.

Either way, the handgun is under your control, the children have no access to it during the daytime because it is on your person, nor at night time when they are in bed sleeping.

If the children are up and about at night time when they are supposed to be in bed, then you may have to make other arrangements at that time.

 

[boomana]

Browning High power

Smith and Wesson semi autos [ most if not all models including the new M+P series ]

Ruger SR9's

Bersa 380's

Brownie

I'm not sure about the full-size M&Ps, but my compact M&P most definitely fires without a magazine. I took a neighbor to the range today, and as she'd never shot before, we were covering basic safety, including not making assumptions about what was loaded or not. I took the mag out of the gun and asked her if it was loaded. She said, "No," so I fired it to prove a point.

 

[brownie]

Must be just the full size guns Boomana,

Interesting observation and information on the compacts.

Brownie

 

[Steve48]

You can try a Gun Vault Standard Minivault Pistol Safe. It's available at Impact Guns or other online stores.

That looks like a winner.

 

[hobbystock98]

i use this on my bedside gun since i am a foster home i have to have the gun locked the cool thing about this is you set your own combo and that lever on the side will hold the lock with out locking the combo now this keeps the foster folks happy while there isnt a child in the home once ihaveone i plan to get that gun vault

 

[dcook22]

Thanks for all the great ideas folks.

Dan

 

[deadeyedick]

I would strongly caution anyone about placing any type of trigger lock on a LOADED gun. You should never place anything inside the trigger guard of a loaded weapon except your finger, and only then when you intend to fire.

 

[Steve48]

I agree. Besides, if you can stand the delay caused by a key lock, then you might as well unload it. Now that safe shown above allows push button access to a loaded gun, while keeping it out of unauthorized hands. I like that.

 

[Mac45]

Do not leave your firearm unsecured anywhere in the house. There a number of quick opening pistol safes around [see previous posts] that will keep the weapon secure from junior. Even a household security lockbox with electronic lock and key should be sufficient to hold one or two handguns and your ammo. Trust me when I say that kids are smart and no matter where you hide the weapon, the kids will know about it. Start training junior not to handle any firearm without you or your wife present. Then lock the thing up. I did and my boys grew up with a respect for firearms and personal property.