An unloaded gun may be a statement to the sheeple but is not nearly as ergonomic as a good rock to a criminal. That comment about it being the safest area in Cali is BS.
My problem with the whole thing in California and this issue is ...... the "UNLOADED" requirement to be a lawful carry. When I lived there I carried illegally concealed and loaded. I was making an issue of it! And, my feelings were, I would rather be judged by 12 jurors, than carried by 6 pall bearers. Ditto when stationed in the Chicago, Illinois area. Twice it saved my valubles and my life. Had the situation arose I would have stepped up to save someone elses life as well.