Ultimately, any gun safe is going to slow down the time that it takes you to get to your firearm. In most cases, this isn't crucial, since you've been alerted to an intruder because of noise, etc. But in the event that you don't know he's there until he's standing in your doorway, you need immediate access to your firearm. I've seen holsters that have an extension that slips between your mattress and boxsprings, and that's a good idea. I keep mine on the nightstand out in the open. But then again, I don't have any children still at home. And when the grandkids come, the firearm is secured safely away from their reach.