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I wonder if what we have is merely a generational difference in training?

It could be, but I doubt it. I think I would rather error on the side of general safety. The time it takes to arm an automatic is insignificant, there just aren't the fun old fast-draw duels like there were in the old days. However, we all know that an armed gun will occassionally discharge when dropped, bumped or when going about life (like in a theater). There is no need for anyone to carry a pistol with a chambered round. It's like running with scissors, it's begging for an 'accident'.

One can make a strong case for NOT carrying a weapon with a chambered a round (accidental discharge being primary, time savings being near zero). I have talked with several cops, and I have never heard one say "I drew my gun and immediately began to fire". If you feel you are in danger, draw your gun and arm it. In the case of Houston, TX TWO officers had a suspect unarm them, and shoot a total of 4 officers just about a month ago. If the suspect had to arm the pistol, there is at least a 50% chance that 1 of the 3 wounded officers could have shot him. Therefore, I cannot make an arguement to always carry a pistol with round chambered. It's an accident just waiting to happen.

I respectfully disagree. It’s impossible for a modern semi-auto handgun to fire without a trigger pull. In fact, try the following experiment: (A) (1) take a modern semi-auto handgun; (2) empty it; (3) confirm; (4) point downrange; (5) place a pencil in the barrel and cock it; and (6) pull the trigger. The pencil will shoot out of the gun because the firing pin will strike the eraser. (B) Now repeat steps (1) through (5), but instead of pulling the trigger strike the trigger with another pencil so that it is depressed but not held down (or have a friend do the same). What you will see is that the hammer will be released, and the hammer will strike the firing pen, but the firing pin will not be free to move because of an internal safety that most people do not know exists. The pencil will not move!

I just described a standard demonstration performed by firearms experts for a jury in connection with a trial involving firing of a handgun. The defense will often allege that the gun went off accidentally; and the prosecution must prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the only reason the gun fired was that the trigger was pulled by a finger.

If the suspect had to arm the pistol, there is at least a 50% chance that 1 of the 3 wounded officers could have shot him.

How are the officers supposed to fire on him when they have to chamber a round first? He'd be shooting while they are occupied with their weapons.

There is not always a moment to spare when lethal force is needed. Sometimes assaults occur without warning, and in that moment, each second is critical.

However, we all know that an armed gun will occassionally discharge when dropped, bumped or when going about life (like in a theater).

Would you explain *how* this happens in a modern firearm?

BTW, you may want to reconsider your use of the word *we* in your asertion, since I don't know a SINGLE person familiar with modern firearms who would agree with that statement.

Therefore, I cannot make an arguement to always carry a pistol with round chambered. It's an accident just waiting to happen.

I'm not aware of ANY CCW instructor, firearms expert, state or federal weapons expert who would agree with that. Granted, there may be a few out there, but 99% of the folks who have studied the matter as their life's work, disagree.