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Traveling the Lower 48 States Which Firearm Would You Choose For Protection?

Traveling the 49 Continental States Which Firearm Would You Chose For Protection?

  • Total voters
    71
A pump shotgun is your do it all.

Maybe best bug out gun with a variety of ammo for any hunting or social encounter if you’re caught up in a situation away from home.

Carrying or even possessing a handgun can get you in trouble in several states.
 
I normally take a revolver and/or a lever action 30-30. I leave my price possessions my 686's and colt pythons at home and take a less expensive revolver and lever action, usually a Rossi or Taurus revolver and a Marlin 30-30. My philosophy is that it looks less menacing than a semi-auto or an AR-15 and God forbid but should I ever be in a situation requiring use of the firearms and are confiscated, to me it will not be a great loss.
 
Well, in around 30 of the 48, it really does not matter.

For the 18-20 "of concern" the answers wind up so specialized and narrow, there's no real way to generalize in a sensible manner.

It's far too easy to aver that "I'll not go to [those States]!" Yeah, well, right. I have a US$58 million project going an hour and a half west of Boston Logan. Project site is closer to Fall river than Boston, come to cases. There's no rational way for me to get there armed with more than my wits (and a clipboard).

If I have to second-guess my own preferences, I'll not generalize for anyone else.
 
We used to travel the western states with an RV. Concealed carry permit requirements are a puzzle you need to solve before you go. Don't carry in states like CA. You can still travel with some firearms but know the restrictions like mag capacity and how to secure your firearm when traveling.

My choice was either a 1911 or P-239 because of magazine restrictions. This was about 5 years ago so things have probably changed in a few states.

Bottom line I always carried where I could and just locked up the firearm where I couldn't. Never had a problem. I also had insurance, still do. Get some insurance in case you need legal representation away from home.

I don't know anything about NJ and some of those other NE states but CA is probably as bad as it gets.
 
CoalTrain49 said:
We used to travel the western states with an RV. Concealed carry permit requirements are a puzzle you need to solve before you go. Don't carry in states like CA. You can still travel with some firearms but know the restrictions like mag capacity and how to secure your firearm when traveling.

My choice was either a 1911 or P-239 because of magazine restrictions. This was about 5 years ago so things have probably changed in a few states.

Bottom line I always carried where I could and just locked up the firearm where I couldn't. Never had a problem. I also had insurance, still do. Get some insurance in case you need legal representation away from home.

I don't know anything about NJ and some of those other NE states but CA is probably as bad as it gets.
Click to expand...

Maryland, New Jersey and New York are suffocatingly Anti Constitutional in their own perverse ways. I see no relief in their anti gun paranoia direction in the foreseeable future.
 
If I'm all by my lonesome out in the hinterlands my first choice would be a .44 revolver I know that my Smith & Wesson will put a hunk o lead where I point it . I've had it 30 years and trust it. Its easier to carry than a long gun and big enough to stop most threats first shot.
 
The one handgun that would likely get a pass in all 48 states might be a flare gun. You could always explain that it is part of an emergency kit like road flares, another common item that can also be a quite effective self defense tool.
 
When I went on a multi-state driving trip that included MT and ID in 2021 I took a Kahr P9 (9mm 7+1) as a carry gun and a Mossberg 500 12ga pump shotgun with slugs for when we camped in big bear country.

The last time I drove through the NE I took a 5 shot J frame and one of those cable gun locks. Right before I hit the NY border I removed the cylinder and ran the cable lock through it, then stored it all inside a case in the luggage compartment. This did not make me happy, and it's not a coincidence I haven't been back to the NE since except when flying to DC for work.
 
If I was traveling through each state I wouldn't bring a gun. Anything that needs to be stored unloaded in the trunk is not going to be accessible enough anyways.

I would keep my vehicle gassed up and wouldn't stop anywhere that seemed sketchy.
 
“Beware of New Jersey,” warns Gordon VanGilder. The retired schoolteacher is the latest to fall victim to the Garden State’s gun laws — the 72-year-old is facing up to 10 years in prison for having an antique flintlock pistol in his car. In this exclusive report, his attorney notes that VanGilder is facing the same felony charge for his unloaded mid-1700s firearm as he would be for a loaded .44 Magnum. “This is overreach, for sure,” says VanGilder.

Flintlock pistol will get you 10 in NJ. Gun stays at home.
 
A firearm that is legal in all the lower 48 is a tall order. Namely for out of state license pistol forbidden states like California, New York, New Jersey etc. A lever action rifle in nearly any caliber would be where I would start looking.
 
I'm tired of traveling.
The last time that I traveled from Oregon to Alabama (and back to Oregon - and back to Alabama) I had a '58 Remington C&B .44 at hand.
Almost had to use it outside of Winslow, Arizona during the first trip.
I'd stopped at a Pizza Hut for a break and a phone call.
When I came back out, a bunch of low rider types were looking over my load.
I also noticed a big wet spot under my leaky, disconnected main gas tank.
Those low-riders followed me for over 30 miles, waiting for the beer, urine or whatever they poured into that gas tank to kill my engine... .
 
I start with seeing which states I will cross honor my Ohio CHL (Concealed Handgun License). I will be heading to NYC and vicinity the end of July so no gun at all. I was NYC born and raised and while I have no desire to ever be a resident again I make an annual sojourn back for a party on the beach with friends I grew up with. NY is the one place I wish I had a gun. A few years ago my wife and I were staying at the Long Island Red Roof Inn. Second floor and all of a sudden there is loud banging noise. Looked out my peep hole to see a lunatic about 6' 250 Lbs trying to kick down the room door directly across the hall. I mean this lunatic is doing full body slams. I call the front desk and they call the police but sure as hell weren't coming up. Yeah, when seconds matter the police are only minutes away. Took the damn Nassau County PD about a half hour to get on the scene. Meanwhile this lunatic is giving the door hell. What if he moves to our door? I grew up with shooting ranges on LI and was a shooter on my HS rifle team. Slowly I watched gun rights erode in the cesspool known as NY. Never did I wish I had any of my guns more than that trip. Now before I even go back I sanitize my truck making sure not even any spent brass is in it rolling around.

Something else to consider when traveling is states which ban or prohibit for example JHP ammunition.

Ron
 
CZ PCR or SP-01 wherever legal. A five-round 12 gauge pump shotgun everywhere else. I live in NY and even I have no problem staying out of NJ and CA.
 
Normally, I only drive in and to Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. I'll take my usual concealed carry set up (handguns) in those areas.

Anywhere else, I'm taking an airliner to someplace that probably doesn't recognize my carry license.
 
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