Over the past few months, I’ve been on a quest to find the best way to conceal a firearm in an accessible location that is safely away from the kids. Yes, I have a safe, a couple in fact, but I want an easily reachable handgun near the front door for when the Kimber is not strapped to my hip. Since they’re 3 years old and 9 months, keeping the handgun high is a viable option, but I wasn’t pleased with the methods I’ve been researching.

A few weeks ago, I saw a product from Lockdown, a Battenfeld company, that I believe will work. In fact, I know it will since I’ve already set it up. The Gun Magnet is a mountable system that is extremely variable. It can be mounted on walls, under desks or anywhere else that you are willing to drill a hole.

A single magnet is strong enough to hold almost any handgun; it held my full-size Colt 1991 with a full magazine like my son grips his bottle. At the same time it is not hard to pull it free if the need arises. The kit comes with a variety of screws for mounting in different types of materials, along with two drywall anchors, and can be mounted vertically, horizontally or even diagonally if you just have to be different. Two can even be used to hold a long gun, such as a shotgun or AR.

I mounted one vertically in a high location to allow the gun’s grip to be level for an instant shooting grip, and attached my Smith & Wesson Model 637, so it would be hidden but accessible, and out of reach of the kids. Once they get older and start having friends over, I will reevaluate, but for the time being, this will work.

Now I’m sure some are thinking that I should have gone with one of the small, biometric safes that are on the market. I like them, I do, but I had two problems. One, the location where I wanted the gun has limited room. Two, I have two young children and my discretionary income now goes to diapers, formula and toys that I would have used to take over the world when I was a kid. Oh yeah, my daughter is starting dance lessons soon, so there goes the rest of it.

Anyway, those are my rationales for going with the gun magnet, which can be purchased for $24.99 by calling (877) 509-9160 or emailing sales@btibrands.com. If you have another way to hide an accessible handgun, share it so others can benefit from your knowledge.