Safes,Trigger locks, or both?

[JimDiver]

First, avoid key locks on the box or trigger lock. Go with a combo lock or something else that is keyless. You do not want to fumble with a key when your life is on the line. K.eep I.t S.imple S.tupid. Make sure the locking device is something you can defeat with minimal practice and when you are half asleep.

As trigger locks can cause accidental discharge, they are not sutable on anything but an unloaded weapon, and therfore not recomended for use on firearms intended for home defense.

I like Ayoob's idea of having a bolted lock box or safe by the bed. Unlock it when you go to bed and lock it first thing when you get up in the morning. Easy access for when you need it and secure when you are not around.

The other thing to do is get the curosity out of the kids head. After you go shooting or when it's time for a cleaning, make the kid to it.. Disassemble it first and hand it to them. They learn how it works and it satisfies the curosity. BUT make sure it is CRYSTAL CLEAR that it is NOT to be handled w/o your direct supervision.

 

[Oatka]

The original question has been answered well enough. I'd just like to add a related but off-topic option to consider.

One time one of my kids had a nightmare and came boiling in the room about 2 a.m. I heard someone coming in the bedroom and sat bolt upright, thumb cocked, index finger extended, yelling HOLD IT! HOLD IT! Big laugh out of the wife, but I never kept a loaded gun in the bedroom until I got the item below.

I went to Radio Shack and bought a master station and a bunch of little cubes that plugged into the wall sockets. A light, radio, etc. was plugged into that module with the switch set to "On".

From the comfort of your bed, you could turn on any device that was plugged into a module.
The neat part was a "Panic Button" (so marked) that would turn on EVERY module with one push.

The theory being that if someone broke into your house at night, the last thing he wanted was exposure. Also, since he knew he was the only intruder, he could shoot at any shadow with impunity while you could not. A brightly lit house stripped him of that anonimity and if he wasn't a pyschopath, he was out of there. If he was, you had a clear target.

Gave me a lot more peace of mind.