Here's an unfortunate story about having a gun, being trained to use it... And what happens if it's NOT loaded (read: round in chamber).
Details escape me but remember that escaped con in Georgia a few years ago who kidnapped that woman? He escaped from the courthouse, killed a deputy and took another's gun??? Well a seasoned DHS Special Agent was fixing his new condo floors off duty when that same **** was looking for a place to hide out. Crook came in, the Agent drew, pulled the trigger and....... Nothing.
Crook opened fire and killed the Agent.
I know first hand what training my fallen brother had. Qualifying with all issued/approved weapons every third month... 1000s of rounds a year, plus tactical training and awareness lessons (being prepared). If there's one thing the big fed agencies do well and better than most law enforcement agencies (at least DHS with their Special Agents, IMO), it's teaching firearms and tactics, and keeping those skills fairly-well honed (alot of shooting).
Of course it's what you make of it...
Unfortunately, he didn't do a brass (or press) check before packing that day and it cost him his life. Had a round been chambered, and assumming he was an average shooting DHS Special Agent... There'd have been one dead (or incapacitated) bad guy, one less kidnapping and one still alive officer.
Know your weapon status at all times. If a weapon is to be used as a defensive tool, it's utterly USELESS if not loaded, accessible and ready.
We must learn from the mistakes of others or we are doomed to make those same mistakes ourselves... Even if we are highly trained and experienced law enforcement officers.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/12/atlanta.shooting/index.html
It's been a serious violation of policy to NOT have a round chambered while on duty... I treat off duty the same. The only time my weapons are not hot is during drills that require it and when cleaning. They are stored properly when not being worn... Will this prevent a tragedy like the one above? Maybe. Maybe not. But it'll give me (and hopefully you) a better chance to come out of it as the victor!!! Keep a winning mindset, practice safety and tactics... And never sell yourself short by being unprepared or forgetting something that should be second nature.
Prepare to WIN folks!!!
God bless the fallen hero's soul and his family. Rest in peace brother!