I agree with this, however
[QUOTE=CooterJones;6945558]I'd never take a gun to an appointment because getting ripped off for a few hundred isn't worth going to prison. When I go in I only take my keys and the money I'm willing to lose. No wallet, no jewelry, no ID. The best security is to pay after play..[/QUOTE]I would assume if a weapon is taken to an appointment, the person taking it is fully prepared to use it and is knowingly accepting the risks and consequences. I could write paragraphs on some of the situations I've had to deal with. The bottom line, to me, is that I have never been harmed and I have never harmed anyone. For many years I had a second vehicle just to hobby in. A real jalopy. One that says "this guy is a broke sob. " One that I wouldn't even bother report being stolen if that had ever happened.
I don't know how it would play out legally if you pulled / used your weapon in self defense during an appointment gone wrong. Considering the parties involved, LE would know the truth of what you were there for no matter what you say. My guess is you would go to jail for that at least. Probably with other charges related to the weapon. Those may or may not be dismissed if the use of it was truly self defense. I would think some sort of charge relating to the use of a weapon while committing another crime might be in play. The dollars spent on an attorney and the time spent in court would be exhausting.
Like most things in life, there is no one size fits all solution your safety when making / keeping an appointment. All of us here are playing what can be a very dangerous game.