Player object carried from scene to scene

I am currently working a shooter type game, and the character the player plays as, is a game object. (Obviously) But in every shooter i have made before, I haven't been able to save that same game object with all the guns they have gained to the next scene.

The result has been that i have to put every weapon they have found up to that point on the ground because I can't fathom what to do.

I have looked up questions like this, but haven't found a satisfactory answer, so I am asking myself. I do have a level transition script, which is as follows,

 var nextLevel : String;
 
  
 
 function OnTriggerEnter() {
 
     
 
     Application.LoadLevel (nextLevel);
 
     
 
 }

But I this does is change the level. What i'm hoping to learn specifically, is how to save the players gameobject as a prefab, and using that prefab in the next level.

Any help is greatly appreciated.