[CHICAGOFARMER]

"empty pipe"?

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In the old days, some LEO's and especially citizens who carried firearms, and home owners would leave out a bullet and rest the hammer on the empty chamber. In the old days you could tap the gun hammer with a heavy object and fire the bullet in the chamber.

An empty pipe is leaving the chamber empty to avoid accidents..

[narses]

Insanity. The "empty pipe" was used before modern guns were developed. An unloaded gun "an empty pipe" is a dangerous thing to carry. When on duty I want a fully loaded, modern firearm. Aim a gun at me and you are suicidal.