Wow. Lots of good responses.
Overall, seems more training is in order, even if I do have my mind at least decently conditioned. Suppose it has been a couple months since range time..
I think Sharkbite and madmo44mag, had the right ideas about why not to keep a round chambered. Sometimes guns get knocked over, etc, and sometime out of that, they fire. Especially, it seems, rifles and shotguns that spend most of their life leaned in various locations throughout a house.
Also, I too believe in the possibility of the noise of an action working being a strong deterrent for your average bad guy.
Which brings me to another thought, also mentioned by GodblessAmerica, knowing exactly what condition your weapon is in.
More then once in my life(back when I lived in the country and had acsess to a vareity of firearms), I've missed a shot on rabbit/bird/whatever because whatever gun I grabbed by the door didn't have a round chambered when I assumed it did.
So it would seem that it'd be easier, faster, safer, and much more effective at letting you Know what condition your weapon is in as you need it, particular in a defense/perceived threat situation.
Your thoughts?