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Old 01-12-2018, 05:17 AM   #1
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Firearms

We'll be hitting the road full time in July/August and I'm wondering about carrying a firearm for protection. I don't hunt and don't plan to, so the gun would be just for protection. Best case scenario is I'll never have to use it, but as I learned from the Army: plan for the worst, hope for the best.

My questions are: what, if any, type of gun do you carry; why that type; and what about the various state/federal laws?

Thanks,
Larry

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Old 01-12-2018, 06:09 AM   #2
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I carry a small Smith & Wesson .40 caliber, and I keep a .357 Magnum in my motorhome. I have a Concealed Carry License from my home state, and it is valid in many other states through reciprocal agreements. I check the laws in each state I travel through to make sure I am in compliance.
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Old 01-12-2018, 06:40 AM   #3
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I never get too far from my 9mm. Most states consider a MH as your home and don't bother you. A few states are the exception as I have been told. If you have the time I would suggest you obtain a CCW in your home state. By all means go to a CCW Reciprocity web site and check out the laws. Good luck and safe travels
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Old 01-12-2018, 06:47 AM   #4
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Now that I see your home state is California I would think you do not have enough time to obtain a CCW before your travels. You may want to obtain a Utah Out of State permit. You can attend the class here in California. It should cover you in about 35 states and give you some very good advice.
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Old 01-12-2018, 12:10 PM   #5
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California is not a gun friendly state so once you leave there things gun related will be better until you get to MA, NJ, NY and a few other east coast states. As said you need to look into one of the non-resident CCW's that are widely recognized. Utah is a good one as are Florida and Arizona and not that hard to get.
Each state has their own requirements for issuing a CCW either resident or non-resident and each will be recognized by different states. It depends where you plan to go or in my case where I will not go. www.handgunlaw.us is a very good place to look for information and includes links to the states so you can check their laws.
What to carry? If it is something that will stay in your RV a shotgun with an18 1/2" to 20" barrel in either 12 or 20 gage is legal everywhere I am aware of, do your own research. I am also not aware of any permits needed for having a shotgun.
Something to carry on your person, this is where you would need a CCW. A good start for carrying a handgun is an NRA Basic Pistol class, this is geared toward new shooters and the instructor should furnish all ammunition and the firearms for the class. I shoot and carry both revolvers and semi-autos and compete with mostly a revolver. A revolver is pretty foolproof, load, pull trigger and it will go "BANG." A semi-auto can be less reliable and there is more of a learning curve with them. Nothing wrong with them but you need to spend more time getting familiar with how they work and what to do when they don't. Glock makes nice semi-autos in that they are normally very reliable out of the box as are Rugers. I personally would shoot at least a couple hundred rounds through any semi-auto including the self defence ammo you plan to carry. One more thing is not to get a handgun that is too small. Yes they are easily carried but are harder to shoot accurately and are more prone to malfunctions especially the calibers smaller than 9mm. Jim.
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Old 01-12-2018, 01:09 PM   #6
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You'd best take some time to research the individual States' firearm laws.
Your best bet for the defense of your rig, is a 20 gauge shotgun, with an 18" barrel.
Load it up with #9 shot, and I pity anyone who comes through your door unannounced.
(The shotgun will probably cause fewer legal problems, than a handgun.)
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Old 01-12-2018, 02:17 PM   #7
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Although all of the above advice is good may I add that if you are afraid to be unarmed or to travel it may be best for you to stay home. As retired LEO I find it insane for people to carry because they have a fear of someone else while in a MH or camper. Just my opinion.
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Old 01-12-2018, 02:27 PM   #8
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I agree cpmath - although I realize that many do not. I carried/had immediate access to a weapon for 25 years in the military and I do not have one in my motorhome. One other consideration, if you plan to travel to Canada you cannot take your hand gun and to take a rifle or shotgun is very difficult. That includes traveling thru Canada to Alaska. If you get caught, there are serious fines.
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Old 01-12-2018, 02:52 PM   #9
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Although all of the above advice is good may I add that if you are afraid to be unarmed or to travel it may be best for you to stay home. As retired LEO I find it insane for people to carry because they have a fear of someone else while in a MH or camper. Just my opinion.
As a trained Instructor: I'll agree that not everybody has the emotional and mental capability to deal with firearms ownership.
But it's not insane to want to be able to protect yourself and your family: no matter how remote the chance of that need arising may be.
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Old 01-12-2018, 03:41 PM   #10
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All good points.

I have a stainless .45 1911 and a VA CCP. With that said, it is always unloaded and the ammo locked away so it is of no use for immediate self-defense. I would rather use another readily available and legal object to deal with an intruder than to have to go through the legal process of using a firearm and its aftermath.

I also have 3 medium sized dogs in the motorhome which would tend to make any intruder second guess themselves.
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Old 01-12-2018, 03:50 PM   #11
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There is a CCW app you can get that helps answer questions regarding reciprocity between states. We did a 15 state trip and only 1 state did not reciprocate with ours. Good app to have
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Old 01-12-2018, 04:01 PM   #12
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There is a CCW app you can get that helps answer questions regarding reciprocity between states. We did a 15 state trip and only 1 state did not reciprocate with ours. Good app to have
Can you post a link to this app?
(Or at least a website for more information?)
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Old 01-12-2018, 05:16 PM   #13
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S&W Shield 9mm. Its my daily carry. Never leave home without it.

Jerry
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Old 01-12-2018, 05:41 PM   #14
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I carry either a Seecamp LWS .32 in a pocket holster, or "Old Slabsides" (Colt 1911A1) in a Galco S.O.B. rig.
But I don't carry out of State... New York State doesn't offer reciprocity with any other State, so we're sort of hung out to dry...
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Old 01-12-2018, 06:51 PM   #15
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S&W Shield 9mm. Its my daily carry. Never leave home without it.

Jerry
That's what I carry and qualify with every year. Its a great carry firearm.
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Old 01-12-2018, 07:00 PM   #16
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Can you post a link to this app?
(Or at least a website for more information?)
If you are on an Android cell phone the Apps are "CCW" and "Concealed Carry Laws." There may be others, but I check both of those when I travel to make sure I have the correct information. I know it is redundant to use both, but I do not want to receive incorrect information from a bad app.
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Old 01-12-2018, 07:04 PM   #17
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I actually did finally get a smart phone... and it sure is a whole lot smarter than me!
I think that it's an Android: some kind of little robot shows up on the screen, when it's booting up...
I'll see if I can find that app: Thanks!
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Old 01-12-2018, 08:10 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
I carry either a Seecamp LWS .32 in a pocket holster, or "Old Slabsides" (Colt 1911A1) in a Galco S.O.B. rig.
But I don't carry out of State... New York State doesn't offer reciprocity with any other State, so we're sort of hung out to dry...
New York is much like California in that reqard. Get an Out of State permit from any one of several states.
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Old 01-12-2018, 08:25 PM   #19
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We're waiting to see where retirement lands us, and then we'll start that process...
Only five more years...
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Old 01-12-2018, 08:45 PM   #20
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Originally Posted by Locknut View Post
If you are on an Android cell phone the Apps are "CCW" and "Concealed Carry Laws." There may be others, but I check both of those when I travel to make sure I have the correct information. I know it is redundant to use both, but I do not want to receive incorrect information from a bad app.
How do you know which one is right and which one is bad?
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