Do You Carry a Handgun When You Camp?

[macmcintire]

In talking to some Sportsmobile owners I've heard some say they carry a handgun or other weapon in their Sportsmobile whenever they boondock camp, particularly in the desert Southwest because of the possibility of coming across meth labs, drug dealers or illegal alien smugglers. I have camped in some very remote areas where, if someone wanted to, they could easily bump me off and steal my Sportsmobile. So the thought of personal protection has often crossed my mind.

Yesterday I attended a handgun safety course and was told it is illegal in California (where I do a lot of camping) to carry a weapon anywhere in a vehicle other than in a locked box that is not in the passenger area and the ammo must be kept separate from the gun. This got me wondering: If you do carry a handgun or weapon in your Sportsmobile when you camp, 1) where do you carry it, 2) is it loaded and 3) do you have a concealed weapons permit? Also, are there areas where you camp where you do carry your weapon and areas where you don't.

I want to be safe when I camp, but I also don't want to go to jail.

Your thoughts?