It happens more often than you think.I had exactly the same thing happen at a gunshop except I was the one to pull the bolts..And the guy had kids around also.His responce was that they were not usefull unless loaded.I actually tried to talk to him but I don't think he understood.I do wonder what happened later.We had open bolts on the shelf display and the first thing that we did was open and check anything .We never had a problem but were on top of safety at all times.
A good friend was working in a gun shop across the street from a bank.They had a second hand Savage single shot 22-250 that just came in .He took it off the rack and pointed it a the bank sign.Then he opened the bolt as a matter of habbit . Out came a live round and he just looked at me with big eyes.Not a word was said !I'm sure he remembers this much better than I.
I enjoy going to the range and shooting bench rest guns.If its the normal people shooting I feel safe but a stranger still makes me nervous.
Glenn