Returning From a State that Does not Recognize You Concealed Carry Permit

What do you do in a state that does not recognize your concealed carry permit?  What do you do when you get home from your trip?  Are you going to remember your routine?

Last year, I took a trip to the west coast.  Now that state did not recognize my permit to carry so I was unable to take my firearm with me.  I didn’t want to land at the airport and then have the police arrest me after the airlines returned my sidearm.  So I had to go somewhat naked on this trip.  I decided to take my pocket knife just in case.  Now if you’re going to a state that does not recognize you carrying a firearm, you’re going to have to come up with alternatives.  Whatever that tool you decide to take with you to defend yourself, I would highly recommend getting some training on it.

Before you visit any other state, you’re going to have to read up on the laws in that state.  If you visit a state that does not recognize your concealed carry permit, than you’ll have to comply with the laws.  I would recommend you visit USA CARRY to see what states that accept your permit(s) and also visit Handgun Laws for laws in each state when carrying a concealed firearm.

While we were visiting, my children and I were hungry so we decided to go to a takeout rib joint.  As we were walking towards it, I noticed some questionable people in the alley.  I took note and we went into the establishment.  We were there for about 20 minutes waiting for our order and my situational awareness was on high alert.  It was kind of a shady neighborhood and the clientele were something to see.  As we exited this place, a voice from the alley said “Excuse me sir, could you come over here?”  It was those same four people I saw in the alley earlier, but they were outside waiting for us.  We walked in the opposite direction real fast and got onto a busy street within seconds.

They did not follow us, but I could see that the children were a little frightened by the situation.  Now I kept looking behind us all the way until we got to the place we were staying to make sure we were not followed.  Now having a knife against 4 others and having children was not in my favor.  If they decided to follow and cause trouble, I couldn’t imagine how the end results would be.  I hate visiting states where I cannot carry a firearm.  Being outnumbered is not my idea of a good time.

When I returned back to my state, I couldn’t wait to strap on that tool.  But I noticed that I was out of my routine.  I have been gone for two weeks running around visiting unfamiliar places and relatives and my routine was right out the window.  I was out of my element.  So while I was back at home, I had to correct my mistakes in my routine.  The habits I created over these years went right out the window.  Maybe it could be the age thing where I was forgetting (like my sidearm before going out), or my mind was re-adapting from the previous out of state experience to my normal routine.

I noticed it took me a few days to pick up my normal routine.  It was a pain in the ass, but within a few days of correcting myself, I started to get back into my normal lifestyle.

Advice I can pass along…avoid states that do not allow you to conceal carry.  They are not interested in your preservation.  In my situation, what if we were surrounded, what could I do to defend myself and my family?  I had a little girl with me.  I am afraid to think what could have happened to her.  I am not John Wick and experienced in taking people out with a pencil.  I am just an averager person like yourself.  I refuse to be forced into that position ever again and only visit states that accept my permit.

Those states that you can carry, you can continue your routine, but its going to be in a different environment.  When you get home, start your regular routine right away.  If you came from a state that you were unable to carry, it may take you a few days to catch up on your routine.  If you came from a state that you were able to carry, you may immediately continue your routine or it may take you a shorter period of time to get things back to normal.

To recap.  Visit states that recognize your concealed carry (if possible), try to maintain your routine out of state (if possible), and remember it may take a few days to get back into your normal routine of carrying your firearm and the responsibilities that surround it.  Enjoy your trip!!!

Be safe out there, be the responsible firearm owner and always follow the “Concealed Carry Creed”!!!