WOW -- very disappointing -- so disappointing that I've logged in for the first time in 5-6 years?? More??***
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I'm the father of now-grown twin boys. VERY active twin boys.
I'm also a firearms user who eschews external "saftey(s)" when I can -- I find them to be killers and entirely UNsafe.
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There is a simple solution to the OP's issue: remove the chambered round.
As a rule, nobody with strength sufficient to cycle a weapon will lack the maturity-that-comes-with-age to at least be aware of the weapon as a source of destruction.
Simply removing the chambered round will give the parent a number of years to feel out where things are going with their child, without having their weapon locked up, completely unloaded, trigger-locked, high-up&across-the-room, etc etc.
FWIW, by the time my kids were 7, they could load, shoot, and clear 3 different NATO-round weapons. AND recite Daddy's litany:
"Is this weapon safe?" No.
"How do you know that?" I don't.
"Clear the weapon." {works to show empty chamber}
Yes, there were a lot of rolling eyes goin' on -- but they're 25 now, and still alive.
[ Also, BIG OL' "+1" to gregkl for the post right above. "Right on."]
*** Wacky!!! Just looked it up: I last post here 10 years AND ONE DAY ago: August 13, 2009. Whack-a-doodle.
Okay, so, see y'all in 2029, fergawdsakes.
The unloaded chamber is an idea, but not where im trying to be. When getting ready for the day, I prefer a quick press check holster and go. Just my preference. I like a full mag +1. Unloading the +1, isn't a big deal, but last thing i need is to forget to reload it and blah blah blah, I just making up excuses to prove my point of being comfortable in my way of doing my morning routine. The safe I feel is the best solution for the wife and I. She also has meds she wants to lock up in her nightstand safe. And putting things up high isn't good enough for us. Its not hard for a kid to climb. I found her climbing up the back of the couch this morning unaided...