[OldPossum]

Mr. Mossberg stays right by the bedside next to the flashlight and the cell phone.

In my case, it's "Mr. Remington" and he's always reachable in a matter of seconds. The handguns are nice but they're just for use as I fight my way to the shotgun.

And, no, they're no children in the house for those who worry about such things.

[river rat]

Short barrel, short stock, 870 with 5 progressively larger pellet rounds, hung inside bed sideboards, out of sight - within reach from sleeping position.

No minors in home....
When grandchildren visit, shotgun goes into vault, and .45 1911 comes into primary service.... Cookie snatching rug rats can't rack and chamber a round in the semi-auto 1911 -- Older children KNOW better.

TIP - Strong, thin magnets -- especially the type found inside 5.25" hard disk drives, covered with cloth or rubber and glued or screwed beneath a night stand or bed will hold a large pistol by nothing but easily overcomed magnetic force... no chance of hang ups, twists or jams in an emergency...

Pistol grip should be positioned such that when you roll out of bed and shove your hand to the pistol - the grip is where it needs to be to quickly locate, grab and use...

Semper Fi