Traveling through multiple states with a firearm has a tremendous number of potential problems, not the least of which is legalities. As you are just becoming aware, not all states allow reciprocity and even at that, some areas within a state have different laws as there is no state wide pre-emption laws which allow the state statute to take precedence over local ordinances. So, it may be legal for you to carry within a state but a particular city or state may have a different rule that supercedes state law. The variables can be mind boggling to say the least. Other states do not allow any sort of reciprocity or even carry, others require the gun to be "concealed" (and there are multiple rules on what that means), while even others allow open carry but not concealed. Then there are exceptions as the laws may apply only to residents of the state and not visitors. Then too, what is legally defined as "self defense" can vary from place to place with differing requirements needing to be met before one can use lethal force.
That is not to mention any requirements to transport a firearm, some allow the carrying of loaded and uncased weapons in the vehicle in some areas for some purposes while others will require the gun to be unloaded, cased, and placed in the rearmost part of the vehicle to be legal at any time. Sleeping in the car can be interpreted as traveling, even though it is parked and the motor not running.
Then there is the problem of being a traveler with no local address or ties in the event of a problem as you will very likely be incarcerated until any and all problems are sorted out. That leaves your possessions in the custody of an impound lot if you are "lucky" and out on the street if you are not.
One may be tempted to keep Mace, a stun gun, club, or knife handy for protection but they can also have regulations regarding them and put you crosswise with law enforcement when encountered (and you definitely will).
any endeavor such as this is fraught with risks as well as rewards. It is up to you to assess and weigh out these risks and determine what is acceptable to you.
You must balance the risks of being directly robbed with that of having the car broken into while you are away from it with the likelihood of meeting up with an officer and having you and your car checked and finding you have possibly been improperly carrying a firearm. Couple that with the potential inaccessibility of the gun during a time of need where you may have a means of protection but not be able to use it.
Carrying a gun accessible in time of a need is a real pain in the posterior as there are so many laws that can apply and they can vary so much. It is not like hunting where carrying a gun is so much easier as unloading it, putting it in a case, and putting it the trunk is nearly universally accepted. Again, it is up to you to determine the risks involved, what is acceptable, and what alternatives/options you wish to employ. Then you have to live with the consequences, good and bad.
That is not to mention any requirements to transport a firearm, some allow the carrying of loaded and uncased weapons in the vehicle in some areas for some purposes while others will require the gun to be unloaded, cased, and placed in the rearmost part of the vehicle to be legal at any time. Sleeping in the car can be interpreted as traveling, even though it is parked and the motor not running.
Then there is the problem of being a traveler with no local address or ties in the event of a problem as you will very likely be incarcerated until any and all problems are sorted out. That leaves your possessions in the custody of an impound lot if you are "lucky" and out on the street if you are not.
One may be tempted to keep Mace, a stun gun, club, or knife handy for protection but they can also have regulations regarding them and put you crosswise with law enforcement when encountered (and you definitely will).
any endeavor such as this is fraught with risks as well as rewards. It is up to you to assess and weigh out these risks and determine what is acceptable to you.
You must balance the risks of being directly robbed with that of having the car broken into while you are away from it with the likelihood of meeting up with an officer and having you and your car checked and finding you have possibly been improperly carrying a firearm. Couple that with the potential inaccessibility of the gun during a time of need where you may have a means of protection but not be able to use it.
Carrying a gun accessible in time of a need is a real pain in the posterior as there are so many laws that can apply and they can vary so much. It is not like hunting where carrying a gun is so much easier as unloading it, putting it in a case, and putting it the trunk is nearly universally accepted. Again, it is up to you to determine the risks involved, what is acceptable, and what alternatives/options you wish to employ. Then you have to live with the consequences, good and bad.
