Bedside storage: Best options?

[Loffmar77]

Hey folks,

I don't have a handgun yet but I'm making preparations for a purchase in the near future. I want some feedback on how you folks store your handguns near your bedside (or otherwise.)

I currently have a Marlin .22 long rifle, and two other shotguns that I keep in a locker in my closet. I always feel that if there was ever an intruder that I would not have enough time to arm myself with one of my shotguns.

I've been looking at handgun safes (biometric and non) to keep in somewhat close proximity to my bedside. I was wondering what you folks have come across for do's and do not's.

I also have a 5 yr. old son. He tends to not get into things but I want to rule out any possibility of any accidental openings of the safe.

Thanks for your input guys!!

[payd2fly]

I have a GunVault and highly recommend them. Quick access, but secure enough the kiddos have no chance of getting in. I got the multi-deluxe (bigger & plugs in). They have biometric ones too. eBay has a few good deals. I found the best online prices 8 yrs ago on sportco.com. A friend just bought one there and is happy with his purchase.

[swmp9jrm]

No need to look further than GunVault. Open in less than 5 seconds, solid enough to keep out a 5 year old. Get the deluxe version with the light inside and the a/c adapter. Here's where I got mine:

GunVault

I would stay away from the biometric version, although I have nothing other than anecdotal information to say that - many reports that they are somewhat finicky - not something you need in a bad situation. The push button version works just fine every time.

[nca_mm]

I'm bumping this for, hopefully, more responses.

[Loffmar77]

I'm finally picking up my handgun today. I also have decided on the Barska biometric top opening safe. It fits down in a night stand drawer. My office mate has one and loves it.

[B2Tall]

Why bother with "bedside storage" at all?? I keep a pistol on my nightstand because I might need it instantly, not in the 5 seconds it takes to get into whatever little safe you have there. To me it kind of defeats the purpose of having your pistol right there. When I get up in the morning that particular pistol goes into my gun safe that's in my closet.

It's one thing if that's your only secure storage (you said you have a locker), if not, it seems to me that a bedside safe only serves to make it that much more difficult to access your pistol when you really need it the most. Imagine being in a life-threatening situation and not being able to draw your pistol until after you've counted to 5-mississippi.

[sdgw]

A note on your 5 yr old, educate your children about firearms, and a do not touch rule. I did this one on one with my grandchildren as I did with my own. When one of them comes in my reload room to see me, I ask, "what's the #1rule here" Education will help keep them from being so curious

[nogods]

Why bother with "bedside storage" at all?? I keep a pistol on my nightstand because I might need it instantly, not in the 5 seconds it takes to get into whatever little safe you have there. To me it kind of defeats the purpose of having your pistol right there. When I get up in the morning that particular pistol goes into my gun safe that's in my closet.

It's one thing if that's your only secure storage (you said you have a locker), if not, it seems to me that a bedside safe only serves to make it that much more difficult to access your pistol when you really need it the most. Imagine being in a life-threatening situation and not being able to draw your pistol until after you've counted to 5-mississippi.

Well, yes, it is always better to be in the best possible state of readiness to respond, but there are trade offs. With my firearm in my bedside gunvault I don't have to worry about forgetting to lock it away the next morning. Plus kids do get out of bed sometimes and surprise their parents by sneaking up to their bed side. A kid could do that, find the gun on the nightstand, and leave with it without a parent ever waking up.

Yes, the gunvault does reduce my response time. So there are instances where a BG could sneak into my house and get the drop on me while I'm sleeping. But they can also do that while I'm taking a shower and I haven't yet figured out how to attach a waterproof quick access gun container to the shower wall.

I'm willing to take those chances as an offset to increasing the risk of tragedy from an unsecured weapon.

Of course, if I could get my spouse to stay up all night standing guard I wouldn't have to worry about it.

[nca_mm]

Why bother with "bedside storage" at all?? I keep a pistol on my nightstand because I might need it instantly, not in the 5 seconds it takes to get into whatever little safe you have there. To me it kind of defeats the purpose of having your pistol right there. When I get up in the morning that particular pistol goes into my gun safe that's in my closet.

It's one thing if that's your only secure storage (you said you have a locker), if not, it seems to me that a bedside safe only serves to make it that much more difficult to access your pistol when you really need it the most. Imagine being in a life-threatening situation and not being able to draw your pistol until after you've counted to 5-mississippi.

Hard to fathom, for me, anyway, leaving a loaded lethal weapon on my nightstand with a 6 & 2 year old in the house. Heaven forbid they walk in & get curious.

[B2Tall]

Hard to fathom, for me, anyway, leaving a loaded lethal weapon on my nightstand with a 6 & 2 year old in the house. Heaven forbid they walk in & get curious.

For some reason I missed the part where he said he had a small child in the house. I guess that or having a mentally unstable spouse or roommate would be good reasons!