Kids have a way of getting into things. Locking up your gun(s) should definately be done. I grew up the same way with guns sitting in closets at my house, my uncles and grandparents. But in those days kids knew enough about guns and what they were capable of. Your children may be instructed properly, but what about his friends??
A nightstand safe is a good idea if you want to keep your pistol handy, but I would stay away from the 'fingerprint' to open unless you can code more than one fingerprint into it - like your wife's. Just in case she needs it when you're not around.
Accidents happen and the only shootings I want to see are those of the bad guys.