I am not saying you should keep them clueless. I advocate education big time.
I don't advocate leaving them loaded and unlocked.
Again... think about the situation. Daughter's friend ignores daughter, fires gun, either someone is dead or you have a hole to spackle and a bottom to spank.
I have a very good reason to keep mine loaded and unlocked. The chamber is empty.
As a deputy, you should be well aware that adrenaline is very crippling. You have to depend on muscle memory to get you through. If you have to remember too many things, you will not make it!
I keep a 1911 cocked and locked in the drawer and a mossberg with 000 buck in the corner and the safe is unlocked when I am home. I lock them up only when I leave the house.