We cut across northwest Kalifornia last summer from Reno to Crescent City and then went up Oregon's left coast to the Columbia River Gorge and then east to Montana in our lil' RV. We even carried while out in the country when crossing NV.
Although many of the folk we encountered bore amazing resemblances to Charles Manson and/or Patricia Krenwinkle, we made it through without our trusty handguns.
Give it a go; who knows, you might make it?