I do think, like speeding, some people need the gentle reminder of the possibility of a ticket in order to do the responsible thing.
Do you actually believe that speed limits prevent speeding?
And kids do, in fact, get a hold of parents’ guns
100%. Nobody has said otherwise. To do so would be foolish.
Interestingly, this happens in states with strong storage laws. In MA, you're threatened with prison for, in your words, "failure to put a $3 suitcase lock on a nylon range bag." If that's insufficient, and factually results in ruined lives, why should we "compromise" to some half-step?
and hurt/kill people or themselves either accidentally or on purpose
Sure.
Please define this term "regularity." Statistical data presented by the FBI's annual Uniform Crime Report and similar CDC point to so few cases that meet this definition as to be statistical anomaly.
And it becomes a legit community concern when the kid takes the gun outside the house - like to school.
See above.
I get it. Where does it stop? The slippery slope issue.
Not exactly, but we'll run with it.
Valid concern. But I think that also cuts both ways.
Please elucidate. What two edges do you see?
Unfortunately, extreme positions (as I fear many moderate voters would view categorical denial of storage regulation)
This is a strawman, at best. It is no more extreme to most of this country to refuse the idea of regulations WRT the storage of firearms than of cars or knives. Moreover, the emotional outbursts of the uninformed are a terrible way to run a railroad.
invites extreme responses.
Which become more likely when there is an underlying reasonable point at play (which I believe there is here - as opposed to with things like AWBs or mag capacity limits).
And you close by begging the question. Smooth.
It is reasonable to
recommend that people secure their firearms. It is unreasonable to
require it.
Another way - there are no children in my home; broadly speaking, there will never be. On the rare occasions they visit, they're closely monitored; I'm talking at least one adult per child, monitored.
Why should I not be allowed to make security decisions appropriate to my situation?
Why should I be held to these ineffective standards because somebody else won't manage their snot-gobblers?
Why should I be at risk of imprisonment, let alone your proposed fines, because I have constructed a different life?
What other human liberties do you feel qualified to pen in, simply because they make other people uncomfortable? because it's "only a fine"?