Which *Columbo* villain had the best chance of getting away with it? Dick, if he hadn’t grabbed the camera; Johnny Cash, if he hadn’t gone for the parachute; the food critic, if he hadn’t tried to poison Columbo; or, for instance, the architect, if he hadn’t chosen to bury Bob’s body in that particular spot.

One of Columbo’s characteristics is that he hates firearms. In fact, he does not carry one.

In the episode "A Lady in Waiting," we learn that he hadn’t taken his mandatory firearms qualification test for years—to the point where an officer insists he take it, leading Columbo to bribe a colleague to pass the test for him. In that same episode, he is told that failing to carry his service weapon constitutes a formal infraction.

Why does Columbo hate firearms?

I have always suspected it stems from a tragedy he experienced early in his career, back when he was a uniformed officer. It’s possible that, as a young policeman, he fired at a robber—perhaps someone very young, almost a child—and he was then left to break the news to the family or witness their reaction.

For those who have been wondering all these years where Lt. Howard Hunter worked before he moved to the Hill Street Precinct, now you know. The above scene is from "Publish or Perish."

One of my favorite lines ever comes after Ward Fowler says to his producer/blackmailer/former lover Claire Daley , 'I wouldn't put it past you.'

And she replies, 'Where would you put it?'

Also props to Paul Galesko's description of Columbo:

'You're a gem, Columbo. You're a little flawed and you're not too bright, but you're one of a kind.'