This is for Lone Gunman
I live here in California and not by choice. I'm stationed here. I have also been stationed in Oregon, Washington, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Virginia, Tennesee and Maryland. California is not that bad for gun rights. As a matter of fact when it comes to defending yourself with deadly force the state tends to be very pro gun. CCW, with the exception of the counties around the Bay Area and LA, is also normally a matter of paying your fees and taking the class. Having lived here I can find a lot of positive things to say about California and the natives. You may have the choice of basing where you live just on how gun friendly a state is but many people don't have that luxury. I think that a lot of residents here genuinely love the state and would rather stay and try to change things, then just move. Have you ever lived here or do you base your statements on second hand knowledge?
To finally get back on topic, guns are more expensive here. In Oregon and Washington I paid a good deal less, but part of that may have been due to the fact that there are only 2 gunshops and 2 stores that sell guns in a 100 mile range where I live now.