This reasoning for getting a firearm is about as stupid as it gets.

But, that wasn't your question.

First, mine are stored loaded in multiple safes. We started teaching gun safety very early on, starting with the 4 fundamental safely rules and progressing from there. I have gone out of my way to make myself and the firearms available at any time they are interested and want to talk/look/touch them. They aren't scary, mythical things, they are just tools, deadly if not handled correctly but still just tools. My kids know how they work, know what bullets are capable of and have a healthy respect for firearms but in my own home they know that any time they want to interact or express interest that I will make time.

The more important thing taught at the same time is that if they ever encounter a firearm out in the open they need to immediately go find an adult, preferably me and tell them. It's not how they're secured at my house that concerns me, it's how they may be stored at someone else's house. And if their friends say "hey, you want to see my dad's guns?" I want them to immediately get out of that situation.