Protecting my 2 yr old

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