guys,
for any student or newbie, i strongly recommend hiring a professional for assistance with this. On the shoots I've worked on with real guns, there are a ton of precautions taken on the set.
Only the armorer handles the firearms. When he takes them out of their cases, the AD announces to everyone there are live firearms present. The guns are handed to the actors right before the take. Once the director yells cut, the armorer runs out to take them back from the actors. NOONE else can handle them.
Even if you own your own guns (not uncommon in many places in the US), do not think it's a small issue having them on set.
mc