Always Check The Gun
I have one handgun at the moment, a 1911A1. I don't have my CCW yet (I just mailed off my $$$, application and fingerprint card to DPS today) so I'll cover what I do now, and what I will do when I get my CCW.
Right now I check my gun, every time I pick it up and put it away, to make sure there is NO round in the chamber. I leave it in this condition for several reasons. In the house I don't feel it's necessary to keep the gun hot, tho I do keep it with a fully loaded magazine.
When I CCW I will keep it loaded with a round in the chamber--cocked & locked. Everytime I pick up the gun, I will make sure a round is chambered...don't want any surprises in an emergency!