"Loaded' definition according to Colorado law, for a handgun, is 'one round in the chamber'.
I'm #2 in the poll for carrying a full magazine, but not one in the chamber. Since the 'tone' of the replies seems pretty civil, allow me to explain 'this Coloradan's' reasoning.
This past year, I was able to convince my wife to have us each purchase handguns, and spend time shooting together at the local shooting range...both our sons are now grown... being empty nesters, we are enjoying trying out new hobbies and things. While the boys were being raised here at home, I chose the 'baseball bat' next to my bed method of home defense...wasn't anti-gun by any means--was raised in New Orleans with guns to hunt/fish--just chose to not have them in the home.
My wife took to it quickly and readily--I took my time with her at the range, and she felt comfortable with a Sig Sauer Mosquito (.22LR) handgun...and I fell in love with the Glock 17 the first time I put one in my hands.
Fast forward a bit, and we both got our Colorado Concealed Carry Permits. She wanted to have the 'choice' to carry or not......and I knew I wanted to carry from this point forward.
Now....with all that being said, let me explain why I carry without a round chambered.
My wife has her gun on her nightstand, leaves it fully magged, but no chambered round, with the safety off. She has practiced for months and knows she must rack the slide back to chamber a round...and then fire. She shoots VERY well at the shooting range...putting all her shots within a 6" circle at 40 feet. She is VERY comfortable leaving her handgun in the condition stated at home.
Similarly, my Glock 17 at home and my Glock 19 for EDC, also stay in the same condition. I'm very familiar with my handguns--having put near 1,000 rounds through each one....and so I have decided....FOR ME and my wife...that my carry protocol would be the same.....full magazine....no round in the chamber.
We both know the handguns are VERY safe in this condition. We both know the handguns have to have the slide racked back to load a round into the chamber prior to shooting. We both have decided this is how we balance having handguns in our immediate presence, and feeling safe.
Now, one last comment as to why we both feel comfortable with this method of carry. We are both 'born again' Christians. We know, without any doubt, that upon our departure from this world--we will immediately be in Heaven, in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The reason this is IMPORTANT....is that we both trust God with EVERYTHING in our lives as well as the next life. This means we trust God to grant us the 1-2 seconds it takes to rack the slide back---if we were EVER to be in the position to use lethal force against another human being. We both know that would be the LAST choice..because all life is sacred...even criminals..so we both would only take another life if either of ours were immediately being threatened.
I've read SO MANY internet posts on dozens of forums about all the reasons why you may NOT have the 1-2 seconds to rack the slide back.....and while I'm not discounting ANY of them......I'm OK with my method of trusting God with that as well.........I realize that some may not understand or appreciate my reasons, but I appreciate the opportunity of explaining them.
I hope that those who DO CARRY WITH A ROUND CHAMBERED will realize that there are others who have their OWN reasons for being different and not make sweeping, generalized comments about their way being the ONLY RIGHT way.
Sincerely,
Stan
p.s. I'm an Elder in my church and I teach the Bible to Adults.
