True, but in this case the "Cha-Chink" came while he was still in the house, and still on the phone with the dispatcher.
It would be the height of folly to walk out the house with a firearm with an empty chamber, unless that firearm is a revolver, and the chamber is the one under the hammer, even then I'd cock a single action before going out and maybe a double action as well, just as he racked a round into the shotgun chamber before going out.
K... But the absence of "Chachink!" would lead me to assume a pistol or a bolt-action... slightly less bothersome than a shotgun, but worthy of respect all the same.
In this case, however, one took it front-on, and the other in the side, AFAIR, so they could no doubt see their accuser and the justice in his hands... Bad mistake on their part.