[AMF]

I don't deny that the above article shows the stupidity of government bureacracy surrounding the issue.

But the whole thing again, goes to show you what happens when you have NOVICES operating firearms.

I carry (concealed) a lot. I never carry with a round in the chamber. The tactical disadvantages are minor and the safety advantages are substantial.

There's a cocept called graduated posture (and graduated response). That's where you might keep a shotgun in your bedroom, but if you keep the bedroom door shut and locked while you sleep, there's really no need to keep the gun ready to go at a moment's notice. The time it takes to pump a round (or chamber with an auto) is so small that given the likelihood that you're going to have the additional split second required to do so....it only makes sense.

The same is true or those who carry concealed for self defense. It takes an extra split second to rack a round (when carrying an auto) and given that you're not carrying on your hip or at the ready, it's going to take you a relatively extended amount of time to draw your firearm.

That's why you see LE use graduated posture.......whether it's approaching a traffic stop or confronting a suspect or whatever. Cops don't walk around with their hands on their weapon at all times....it doesn't make sense. They do it when an altercation is more probable or likely.

I would think that if you carried an auto (as a pilot) that it wouldn't be a huge reduction in readiness to NOT chamber a round. (it's not a large reduction in capacity for most calibers either). This all but eliminates the trigger lock issue presented.

Obviously if you're carrying a revolver, it becomes a different equation. But then again, if your revolver isn't cocked, then it takes not only a large amount of trigger travel, but a large amount of trigger force to fire the gun in double action mode.

Furthermore, if someone forced me to keep my pistol in a holster with a trigger guard, I don't know that I would keep a round in the chamber, regardless of revolver/auto. That's just common sense. (or a good understanding firearms).

That's not to say that I defend or agree with the policies set forth by the government. I think it's dumb and it does increase the probability for accidents. I'm just a larger fan of personal responsibility when it comes to owning and handling ANY weapon (whether it's a knife, or pepper spray, or a taser, or a gun). If the gun goes off, it's the owner's actions that caused it to do so. No excuses.