Sandie and Rich:
Several have read your statement, in particular,
?PS I'm not sure I could actually shoot someone anyway, so perhaps - - -!!?
and advised you not to carry a gun. I agree with them. The reason for that is that the weapon is likely to be turned on you by someone who does not have your scruples.
It has been suggested that the threat level is low, camping in an RV. My opinion is that it is low, no matter how, and little mattering where you camp. For what ever reason, I have never seen much crime in camping areas. Perhaps it is out of the bad guy?s concern that someone may have a gun.
An exception to my camping opinion would be rest stops, in any state. For a nap at a rest stop, I suggest that you don?t put down any roots, and keep your keys handy. Drive out if you become suspicious. (Trust your instincts!)
I don?t have a lot of experience with RVs, and that is why I have joined this forum. But, I have a lot of camping experience. And, I have advanced combat training and am reasonably competent with firearms. I do carry a gun, most places. And, I travel quite a bit. The motorhome has made it nicer, softer, and easier.
If you change your mind, as others here have said, you need to go back to school. You need a lot of modern training! Get specific training in modern firearms, at least of the kind you intend to carry. It needs to include modern combat techniques with your type of firearm(s). And, you need some education in the firearms laws.
Outside the U.S.A. don?t carry a gun. That?s easy to learn. There are legal ways, but they aren?t worthwhile (IMHO) except for law enforcement and other professional people dealing with firearms and their issues. Those people get paid for tolerating the hassle. I don?t.
When I travel, I refresh my memory on the laws of every state I expect to be in, unless I was there, recently. Part of that ?refreshment? I find at packing.org. Some of it, I find by calling friends, I expect to visit. I comply with the laws in each state.
I also call the State Police main office, in each state, and ask for advice on recent changes or updates. Over the years, I have with one exception, gotten friendly, helpful advice from every office. The best was Wyoming - ?We don?t care how you carry your guns, nor how many you bring. Visit Wyoming, stay a while, bring your guns and bring money!? To the worst, Missouri, 11 years ago. ?Don?t bring guns to Missouri! We have no crime here. If you do, keep moving. Hope we don?t stop you as you pass through.? Missouri has loosened its laws quite a bit, since then, but I haven?t been there. Found a way around Missouri.
There are several sets of National Regulations. First, there are the Federal Laws. Then, many Federal agencies have their own set of regulations. Some are very strict - Federal Courthouses. Some strict but frequently accommodating - Military installations. Some, virtually unregulated - BLM land.
There are fifty-one sets of state laws and regulations, and The District of Columbia. (Don?t even make a tire tread mark on a D.C. street, if there?s a gun in your vehicle!)
Some states prohibit local jurisdictions from regulating firearms. (Eg: Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming.) Many leave some local regulation to the cities and counties. (Eg: California, New York, Massachusetts, Kansas.) In a state that permits local regulation, you need to find the rules in each city or county where you plan to stop, unless you plan to stay on the interstate, going thru.
And, even in states that prohibit local regulation, you need to know if that is being challenged. Two good examples are Oklahoma, where Corporate interests are challenging and Colorado, where the State Preemption law is challenged by Denver. Who will win, in court? Who knows?! Don?t be the test case, unless you are very rich!
Lastly, in some states, the same law in one law enforcement jurisdiction will be enforced differently, in the next (possibly overlapping) jurisdiction down the road. The city police department and the county sheriff?s department, where I live are good examples. Makes me laugh!
Gosh, I hope I haven?t discouraged you! Hardly sounds worthwhile - does it?
As much as possible, I am touring the states that are reasonably friendly to my way of life. That?s 36 states at last count. After I finish what they have to offer, I will tour the other states. Then, when I have those all done, I will sell my guns and tour D.C., Canada and Mexico.
Ray D.