Introducing Travel Week, and Why I Don’t Put Gun Decals On My Car
Welcome to travel week. If you hadn't noticed we are just weeks away from one of the most traveled weekends of the year for Americans as a whole, so we decided to dedicate much of this week to traveling with a firearm. Believe it or not, many people don't know that you can travel with a firearm, legally. There are some things you need to be aware of when you go away with your gun. Some of these are things you may not have thought about, while others I'm sure you have.
In a moment, I'm going to explain why I don't put gun decals and stickers on my car. But, before we get there, let me explain a bit more about Travel Week.
I'm going to come right out and say it. If you don't want to miss anything we're doing this week, sign up for the newsletter. It doesn't cost you a thing, and we are going to be sending out articles, podcasts, and other content that were previously published. What this means, is that unless you know what you're looking for, you may not see it.
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Now, onto why I don't stick gun decals on my car —
I am in no way suggesting that your First Amendment rights don't matter, or that you should quelch what you believe or want to say. I think that if you want to have these stickers on your car, then you should have them on your car. My goal with everything regarding this website is education. If you've never thought about this aspect before, I want you to hear it. But for me, I don't do it for the reasons that follow.
At the end of the day, all that matters is your level of comfort broadcasting that you may have a gun in your car. I would never tell you to not do something.
The Law —
It may seem odd, but not all cops are pro-gun. In fact, many of them are trained to be anti-gun in states that are really unfriendly to us pro-gun folks. I think you know the areas I'm talking about, right? New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, parts of New York, California, etc., all suck for gun ownership. So, I just moved from Pennsylvania to North Carolina. But, I still have family up north.
Let's say I've got my gun family sticker on my back glass, a Hillary for Prison sticker on my bumper and a few other really good ones. But, then I drive through Maryland on my way to visit family over Thanksgiving. Am I now a target by police officers who have been trained to be anti-gun?
Would they pull me over looking for probable cause to find a gun? Even if they wouldn't, I don't want to put myself in that position. Check out this video:
Here is another thing that happened in Maryland where police were basically warned that people who have Second Amendment support stickers on their cars were bad news. I don't consider myself a criminal, or a terrorist. None of my gun-owning friends are, either. But, that news did come about a few years ago.
And then there was this … Now, don't tell anybody but I actually know this clown, John Cramsey. He operated his range by where I used to live and I went shooting with him a few times. He had a decked out truck with stickers and decals all over it. Many people believe that's the reason why he was pulled over, and of course he had a bunch of guns on him trying to get into NYC.
Criminals —
This one goes beyond travel a bit. But, I believe that criminals canvas houses and cars looking for certain tells. If I had my SIG sticker on my car, would the criminal break-in looking for a gun? Even if my gun is on my person, I don't want my car broken into. Personally speaking, I want to be as discreet as possible, and having any gun decals on my car violates that basic rule of mine.
Again, I'm not suggesting that you silence your beliefs or that you not put any stickers on your car. I'm just trying to help those of you who've never thought of this aspect to take a pause and think before traveling through an area where you could be jammed up. What you do is your business, and I'd never tell you what to do. But, I don't put stickers on my car, for these reasons.
Sound off on this subject. Am I way off base here? Let me know in the comments. And again, make sure you sign up for our FREE newsletter so you don't miss anything.
You discuss your concern over displaying gun stickers. What about a “ducks unlimited “ sticker as an example?
The expectation of surprise or reality of having a plan of attack ahead of time is what carrying concealed carry give a person. Having your cards showing in a manor of speaking gives away the expectation and plan. So why do so? Placing stickers and signs, wearing clothing that lets the world know what you have, is foolish, and dangerous! Just ask the kid who wore a MAGA hat in Seattle.
agreed!
I was thinking of putting my Ruger decal on my car, thought about not doing it for safety reasons. Happened upon this article and read your reasons, all I gotta say is thank you for the confirmation that helped my thought process! Won’t be doing it!
All valid reasons NOT to post stickers on the car. However….I never travel in Communist states like NY, MA, CT, NJ. Especially in MY car. Rent one.
I LIKE having a couple of stickers on the car simply because it transmits information to the would-be hot-head in the car behind me that thinks intimidation is a good idea. Suppose I err in my morning commute, and make a lane change that another driver takes offense at. He runs up on my rear bumper (especially at night) to intimidate me (though this isn’t nearly so effective as I drive an 8400 lb F-350). After about ten seconds of studying the “Willl Work For Ammo” and other stickers, the tough guy comes to the conclusion that the driver he is trying to piss off is probably armed, and perhaps, heavily. So far, in 20 years of this practice, the idiot fades away into traffic, never to be seen again. Furthermore, police in Utah already know that 80% of vehicles are rolling fire bases, and don’t even bother asking about weapons. If they do ask, I respond with, “of course!” I’m polite with officers, keep my hands in plain view, and don’t scare them. I don’t have orange hair, bolts in my nose, and can make complete sentences in discernible English. My vehicle does not smell of weed. Life in Utah is good.
The reason I carry concealed is for my benefit, it would be counterproductive to advertise that i’m armed, I feel the same about my vehicle. You mentioned the police and criminals, I’m more concerned about evil liberals they are more dangerously unpredictable!
That’s for the thoughts and perspectives Josh. I agree with your stance but find myself of the fence at times to follow through. While I have VERY little on my personal vehicle that says “GUNS” I think we are needing to be a little more vocal about our rights, specifically our 2nd amendment rights. If you can do so in an appropriate manner ( don’t stoop to their level) I’m 100% for it. I like stickers and tend to place them on water bottles, gun cases or notebooks that aren’t typically staying in my vehicle or within sight if in my vehicle. I believe we should be the grey in this world, always there but rarely seen until/ unless we need to be seen.
Keep up the good writing y’all and I appreciate what you do. Be safe everyone!
Unfortunately you are absolutely right. Concealed carry has many layers of secrecy thus the word “Concealed” not only under garments but in speech and displays of any kind to truly abide by that right.I live in one of the “Difficult” states you mentioned and I am very fortunate to have that right and feel somewhat like a target at times when I shouldn’t considering I am not a criminal and in fact I have a back ground that permits it and should never feel that way!
Makes good sense. I used to live in Maryland. Now in Florida panhandle. Two different worlds.
I understand your reluctance to open yourself up to scrutiny from what might be over zealous cops and predatory criminals. However,I feel, advertising your 2A rights and gun ownership is part of your responsibility to support 2A and gun ownership. It shows public support for what the “anitis” are trying to criminalize. Don’t allow the “antis” to make gun ownership something that should be hidden away like a dirty secret. It is an inconvenience at times and I shouldn’t “have” to but I am legal, have nothing to hide and am willing to make the minimal sacrifice to further the cause.
I put my stickers on magnetic backing so I can remove them from the tailgate of my truck when I am traveling or in sketchy areas.
I don’t put *any* stickers on my cars.
Makes perfect sense. It’s the same as the argument against open carry. Legally and responsibly carrying a firearm is about being prepared for an emergency, not swaggering. And in an emergency, being inconspicuous and having the element of surprise on your side can make all the difference.
Now I’m worried about the message/invitation I convey with my “United States Marine Corps, Retired” license plate frame . . . .
I don’t put stickers on my truck at all. But especially don’t put gun stickers, etc because a lot of liberals out there are very militant. And think they can do whatever they want to somebody they disagree with. I’ve heard stories where somebody had a gun sticker or any other sticker that the easily offended liberal was offended by and had their windows broken, or insults keyed into their paint. Sorry. Not taking that risk with the jerks out there. Besides. Like you stated, I don’t need everybody knowing that I’m carrying, which I probably am.
well I do have an NRA sticker on my car!