Exactly, but there are apparently a number of fools on FR that believe that semiautos should always be carried with an empty chamber and that ‘you will always have enough time to chamber a round while drawing.’
As many gun porn and self defense threads as I have been on over the years, I can't say I've come across anyone advocating carrying a semiauto with an empty chamber but will keep an eye out for it in the future.
That having been said, I don't see where the article says he had a semi auto. He may have been carrying a revolver and placed an empty chamber in the wrong position. He pulled the trigger, the gun didn't go off and it took him a couple seconds to realize his mistake.
The article did say he was eventually able to fire a few shots.
If someone is uncomfortable with carrying one in the pipe then they probably shouldn't even bother carrying a pistol. I carry the way I was trained in the military and in law enforcement...round chambered and safety off, if there is an external safety.