Firearms should be locked up and unloaded when not in use. This keeps them safe(r) from people who should not have access to them (children, at risk adolescents and adults, criminals trying to steal them, etc.). No solution is perfect - but securely storing your firearms (when not in use) is just such a good idea - pretty much everyone should do it. Note: this has also been the long-standing position of actual gun safety training groups (like the NRA).

Those firearms chosen for “home defense” need a slightly different solution. Not only should these firearms be loaded and ready to go, but they also need to be accessible at a moment’s notice. While awake and active, carrying it is a good option (easier with a handgun… a little difficult with a shotgun or carbine, but it can be done). While sleeping - you cannot really have effective control.

If you need a defensive firearm, and still need to assure it does not get into the hands of those that should not have it - technology has some solutions (bio-metric, combination (keypad), and even “keyed” safes now on the market seem to be a fairly reasonable option (Note: the “keyed” option is a bit clunky for actual “defensive use”).

In any case, some things that are not recommended include:

• sleeping with a loaded firearm under your pillow, particularly without a holster covering the trigger guard

• sleeping with a loaded firearm in the drawer beside your bed, again without a holster covering the trigger guard

Both scenarios can result in inadvertently pulling the trigger when simply retrieving the gun (or simply fumbling around in the dark)… An alternative solution can be to have a trigger guard cover (works with both bedside and “quick opening” safes) to cover the trigger area until the end of the lanyard is reached (and pulls off the guard).

And as a final note: I believe everyone should be exceedingly careful with firearms… in the home, when carried, or stored … “in use” or not. But I am not in favor of “laws” requiring such actions. They serve no purpose except to put those who are careful in additional liability - and only serve to prosecute the irresponsible after an event has occurred (for the criminal - they serve no purpose at all).