14 States in the past few weeks TX->PA->GA-TX

[ralewis]

Went on road trip when the kids got out of school to visit Family in PA and GA and ended up traveling thru 14 states (TX, AR, TN, KY, OH, WV ,PA, VA, NC, SC, GA, MS, AL, LA) Note that MD is not on the list, and that's because of a circuitous route I took to/from Northeastern PA that actually turned out to be pretty scenic and interesting. Maybe added an 1.5 hours total travel time both ways.

I used Handgunlaw.US and the CCW Iphone App extensively throughout. Definitely endorse the CCW APP for a quick check/refresher. What I learned was there is a lot of commonality among all of the states -- especially having to do with what you usually do when traveling (carrying restaurants that serve alcohol, rest stops, state / national parks, etc.).

One thing I did notice is a few states had specific sign requirements kind of similar to TX. It also seemed common that it was the refusal to leave not just the presence of a sign that was a criminal offense. Thankfully we got the 30.06 Class A->C change amendment with OC legislation.

I spent most of my time in PA (3 weeks actually) and carried every day. Bars and pro sporting events aren't off limits there and I carried at a triple A baseball game and several actual bars where I met friends from high school/college. There just doesn't seem to be near the discussion/paranoia about firearms carry in PA that we see in TX, and I've always found it interesting and surprising that PA is a more accommodating carry state than TX.

[OldCurlyWolf]

It Seems that you avoided Philadelphia.

All of the stories I see that originated there are usually nasty.

Otherwise sounds like a good trip.

[Taypo]

If I recall correctly, PA has been issuing CHL permits for a lot longer than TX. If that's the case, it would probably explain why the attitudes up there are a bit more mature.

[ralewis]

It Seems that you avoided Philadelphia.

All of the stories I see that originated there are usually nasty.

Otherwise sounds like a good trip.

I'm in PA at least a month each year, and got a non-resident PA License to Carry (LTC) last year mostly because the current interpretation of the Federal Gun free school act is that you need to have a license from the state that the school is in to be exempt. The house I stay in is within 1000 ft of a school as are the other few relatives I visit. This also allows me to open carry in Philadelphia -- which I believe is the only city in PA for which this requirement exists (something about being a "class 1 city" or something). As I understand it, the reciprocity agreements allow for concealed carry anywhere in PA. Though i have seen a few stories over the years about folks being hassled for open carrying in Philadelphia even though they have a LTC.