I always carry a pistol also but then I've carried one for my entire LE career with a shotgun and trunk rifle available as needed. I don't feel comfortable not carrying and have been glad I was carrying a few times. After all of these years, I don't even notice the extra weight. I was a PMI in the Marines and a Range-master with a Sheriff's Office and DA's Office. You get lots of time and ammo to shoot when you're the teacher and I took advantage of it. As always, YMMV but each person needs to make that decision for themself. It's a good question to ask and everybody provides good reasons for carrying or not which helps the OP make his best decision.