Reply #15: We store our guns in a safe when we're not home...

[benEzra]

unloaded, with ammunition stored elsewhere. When we're gone for an extended absence, I'll often remove a critical and not easily replaceable part (bolt, trigger group, whatever) for guns we leave behind in the safe, and store it offsite. The handguns and/or a carbine generally go with us, but if not then they will be stored securely and unloaded. When my son had his most recent open-heart surgery and we were gone for several weeks, the guns went to a friend's gun safe for secure storage, instead of leaving them in the safe in the unoccupied house.

When we're home, one carbine in the safe (mini-14 or SAR-1) will generally be magazine loaded, chamber empty. The handguns are loaded, but not accessible to our children.

If I gave a teenager access to the house to take care of our pets while we're gone, the guns would DARN sure be in the safe, unloaded, and probably with critical parts missing.