Concealed Carry Corner: Traveling As A Gun Guy

Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we took a look at some of the clothing out there. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here to give it a quick read. This week, I want to take a closer look at some of the considerations you need to think about when you carry across state lines, along with how to transport your gun in states that may not allow you to carry concealed. There are a few easy ways to set yourself up for success.

Be Deliberate With Your Choices

When it comes to carrying outside of your regular days, it can be tough to determine what to pack when you have to travel away from your gear and all the options you may have at home.  Starting with your everyday setup is a great beginning point. This will oftentimes be what you're most comfortable with as well. Changing your carry gun because you're going on a trip often sets you up for failure with unfamiliar guns and gear. If you plan on traveling for a few days or more than a week, it's important to take what you know you can comfortably carry all day long. Traveling away from home is certainly not the time to try out new items to see if they work for you.

I recently took a trip to Dallas and carried my Colt Series 70 and took my Glock 48 as well because both of them are extremely comfortable. The Glock 48 has the ability to carry a weapon-mounted light, which allows me to have an option for night carry. If you don't have a handheld light, it's important to have some sort of light when traveling. I had a Streamlight TLR7 attached as well as a SureFire Handheld light. I always prefer a handheld light since you can use it both in everyday life and in case of emergencies. Too many people will rely on their weapon lights, but that's must only be used in emergencies. Personally, I like to carry a couple extra magazines just to have a little more insurance since you'll be states away from home. When I first started traveling with firearms, I often carried way too much that it just became cumbersome. When it comes to traveling, less really is more.

Plan Ahead To Avoid Problems Later On

One of the biggest problems is the idea that most guys take everything they may need and oftentimes will pack their truck like they are going to rural Iraq instead of heading down to Dallas, Texas. Instead of packing everything you may need, it's important to think ahead of time and dial in exactly what you want to take rather than packing everything and the kitchen sink. I used to do the same, where I would pack a rifle, ammo, gear and everything I would need if an all-out fight broke out in the country. The realistic truth is you won't need 98% of the items you pack and having the ability to just take the bare minimum of things you need makes your life so much easier.

Your carry gun, a few magazines and some sort of flashlight are the focus items that you should plan on taking. Everything else is a secondary item and not a necessary item. Take some time, about a week before your trip, and think about what exactly you need and what you'd like to take. Over the week, I always like to boil down what I think I need to carry and slowly but surely eliminate pieces of kit that I think are too bulky or just not worth the extra effort or weight. In most cases, you don't need a rifle, you don't need a plate carrier or 35 magazines fully loaded,

How Much is Too Much?

You may not think there's a defined line between having enough and pushing it over the edge that makes your gear become cumbersome instead of a benefit. If you forced me to give a gut response to you, I would say if you have more than a single case or bag, if you have to haul in more than one bag or container, you truly do bring too much attention to yourself and it's tough to hide that amount of gear. I have been using a Zarges case that allows me to carry 12-14 handguns or a couple of shorter rifles or PCCs. I will pack ammo and spare magazines in the bottom with all my firearms layered inside the case.

My Zarges case is by far my favorite option, but it may not be an option for some, so a regular bag will do absolutely fine. I would avoid anything that's tactical or screams gun just to have a low profile. If you can't take it into your hotel room for some reason, it's always a good idea to cable lock it in your vehicle with a blanket over top, but that is the worst-case scenario. You should always take your guns inside with you and that's exactly why you need to pack light so you don't have 3-4 large bags of gear.

Overall Thoughts

The ability to easily pack for an extended trip with guns takes time and after a couple of trips, you start to get the hang of it. The purpose of this article is to have you guys think about what you will absolutely need if it's your first trip and start there. You can always add more next time, but one of the most common problems is overpacking and feeling fatigued from so much gear rather than having an easy amount to travel with. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below. If you have questions, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and we will see you in the next edition of Concealed Carry Corner.

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