[niteowl77]

Depending on which "derringer" he has, he may not have had a safety. Some were/are worse than others for accidental discharge (the older ones tending to require more care). The butt-heavy "classic Remington" configuration was supposedly notorious for hitting the floor with the barrels pointing back up at you if it fell out of your pocket/purse/garter/cleavage/etc.

[sarasota]

Then why on earth would this guy carry it in his pants?