How do you know what that number is? I say carry what you can and either use it to stop the threat or to get out of there. There is no magic number. I wouldn’t carry the minimum that I THOUGHT I would need. I would try to carry as much as I could. If I am in a gun fight with one or more, I want to hit everyone coming after me once to slow them down. After that, I have the advantage if I have ammo.
Could you please fix the title. 
If St. John Moses Browning adds a thumb safety on his pistol design, then I’m using that thumb safety. 
When I first started carrying in 1983, I carried a Smith and Wesson 357 magnum. It took me until after serving in the Marine Corps before I started carrying a .45 ACP and it was just what I was used to using therefor I like it. Having one in the chamber is just standard operating procedure. Therefore, I have never questioned it myself, it is just the way it is done.
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Rule number one. Every gun is always loaded. Safety first.
When that moment comes when you need to have a round in the chamber, but don’t,… just remember to treat it like it’s loaded!!!
I’m sure the bad guy will understand! 
‘Does the ‘Empty Pipe’ Gun owner wish for ‘Flowers’ or a donation to their favorite Charity?’
There are NO do-over’s in a gunfight.
just sayin’
I think hes talking bout how many to fire. Cuz emptying a 21 round mag into someone will probably give u trouble in court 
In fairness when ur not military trained, it CAN take some getting used to, to be comfortable with it… i still never have without a safety on (been bout 10 months since getting license)…
In ur home is another story 
Sound decision making.
I have not seen any law requiring anyone carrying self defensively to do so without a chambered round.
Decades ago in our military because of an overreaction to a few irresponsible individuals causing unnecessary incidents, for a while Military Police were required by regulation to carry un-chambered.
That was ridiculous setting the stage for disaster.
Eventually, common sense prevailed, just disciplining the offenders vs. putting all military law enforcement at risk for the actions of a few idiots.
There were a couple of instances that I recall more than a few decades ago in the NY State Police where a couple of troopers suffered (GSWs) gunshot wounds by facing off playing quick draw with each other.
That action was ruled misconduct, not (LOD) Line of Duty injuries, not paid for by their benefits, and threatened termination for judgment lacking of members of the division, violating their standards of safety, training, and conduct.
That bullshit stopped abruptly.
And, they did not require un-chambered carry for any period of time either.
Military or otherwise, training is critical. Find a good instructor so you have eyes on you to provide feedback. Then take what you’ve learned to the range as well as dry practice at home. Instructor led training goes a long way.
Also, learn as much as you can about your firearm and how it works. Make it a goal to know what every internal part does. Not only will it give you additional confidence in how safe the firearm is, it will also help you understand when additional maintenance might be needed or lubrication is insufficient or excessive. I’ve seen some training companies who offer “Armorer” classes for Glock, 1911, etc., etc. They’re not geared toward making you a gunsmith, but give you a lot more detailed info about your firearm.
And NEVER become overconfident wrt safety.
OP probably hasn’t been a member long enough to have that privilege.
Why is the garbage can highlighted?
Does the community believe I should trash my own post?
You clicked the ellipses.
May have had a loose grip on the mouse when firing at the target (reply button) or anticipated the click.
Indeed, my friend.
I too am unaware of any state with a law regarding chambered/unchambered, one way or the other. There may be an outlier county/town/city somewhere with some such nonsensical law though I suspect not.
Fun fact: In Kennesaw, GA, there’s a law that the head of the home (or maybe it’s written as the “man of the house” - I would have to check) must own at least one firearm. Obviously, it’s not enforced, but technically is the law.