We are headed on vacation for the first time in a few years up to Maine. However, there are several Komi states that my wife wants to travel thru because she has not been there yet...checking off her 50 state list. This leaves me scratching my head on what can I carry that won't accidently get me in trouble and yes, in some of these locals I will unfortunately have to spend the night. Just assume I'm going through the worst anti-gun territory on the east coast, pretty much hitting every one of them on our way to the final destination. I've got bear spray left over from an Alaskan trip and the obviously knives, but those may be "iffy" in some places. Suggestions welcomed!

You could not carry it concealed but a 18" breaker bar or lug wrench will make a pretty good blunt force weapon to have in your vehicle.

I carry a cold steel cane/walking stick. Lots of styles to choose from and the polymer is okay internationally too. Some countries don't allow wood from outside.

https://www.coldsteel.com/walking-sticks-canes/

Old style Maglite flashlight - the one that took D batteries. You can still find them on Fleabay.

Fill it with sand and either locktite or weld the cap on. Makes a dandy impact weapon. I keep mine in the door pocket of the car. Regards 18DAI

quote:

Originally posted by 18DAI:
Old style Maglite flashlight - the one that took D batteries. You can still find them on Fleabay.

Fill it with sand and either locktite or weld the cap on. Makes a dandy impact weapon. I keep mine in the door pocket of the car. Regards 18DAI

To make it even better, shrink some heat shrink tubing on it for an awesome grip. Or at least wrap some of that tape used for fishing rod grip.

Four D cell batteries work just fine - and don't give any excuse to interpret the MagLite as anything but a (working, since you may need one on a trip) flashlight. IMHO the butt will handle any accidental impacts better than the bell anyway, and the bell is easy to hang on to and work with if it's kept below the thumb and middle finger in the hand holding it.

This time of year a snow chain probably won't fly. A long screwdriver, however, is a Mexico City cab driver go-to and can be easily kept to hand.

quote:

Originally posted by Exodus:
I carry a cold steel cane/walking stick. Lots of styles to choose from and the polymer is okay internationally too. Some countries don't allow wood from outside.

https://www.coldsteel.com/walking-sticks-canes/

I suppose the Indian War Club would be frowned upon?

Several years ago on this forum in a similar thread someone suggested the “Trucker’s Friend” (link to Amazon, and can be purchased elsewhere).

Made in U.S.A. ! !

If you are doing any hiking with a backpack this would be something that one would expected to have with them.

I personally have a 6 D-cell Maglite nestled in the doorjamb of my vehicle. There might be some Fox Labs pepper-spray and a heavy-duty expandable pointer somewhere nearby too.

When we went to CA a few years ago, we took the kids baseball gear including bats. Innocuous, legitimate, legal and useful.

A loaded or non loaded Shillelagh is also hard to beat. I have a club and we just got my father a walking stick from Olde Shillegah in Ireland. You can't get more authentic and they have great CS.

https://www.oldeshillelagh.com/store

Do you mean to keep on you, or in the trunk? If that latter, a pump shotgun.

A cane with some heft and a trunk monkey can be mighty handy.

Since firearms were brought up some areas like NYC and NJ require the gun locked in a cot trainer with ammo in another locked container, making it essentially useless.
Big no go on handguns in NY state regardless
Knives are ok in NY for the most part NYC is another animal entirely though. A handy tool box with some large screwdrivers and a claw hammer wouldn’t be bad to have around either ( I am thinking one of those open top tool caddys you carry around)

An expandable baton would be a good, easily concealed weapon.

Does your wife understand your feelings about security concerns for your family in some of the area's you plan to visit.

Armed criminals will do what ever they desire to folks (family members) carrying a flashlight or similar.

Get real if you have real concerns.

I don't see why a really really sharp hatchet couldn't be kept in your car alongside some wilderness survival gear. Far faster than a tire iron.

Can always use a decent hammer. I keep this setting in the trunk

https://www.amazon.com/Estwing...r-hand-tools&sr=1-10

quote:

“Trucker’s Friend”

Not sure that is legal is many places. A shovel, on the other hand. Who could complain? I live in an area that riots are a nightly occurrence and pulling a gun on "peaceful rioters" can get you arrested and convicted. (true: search on Michael Strickland). lhttps://www.coldsteel.com/special-forces-shovel/ https://www.coldsteel.com/special-forces-shovel/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOaEjJz-6jg

Cold Steels Spetsnaz Shovel is modeled after an original Soviet Spetsnaz military entrenching tool. This durable and effective shovel has a stout hardwood handle, a broad flat steel blade and 3 sharp edges. A popular tool with military and special operations units worldwide, weve heard tell of it being used to dig foxholes and bunkers, to chop branches, build shelters, act as an improvised paddle, and even as a last-resort weapon of defense! Our Spetsnaz Shovel is also immensely popular with the throwing community, as its head-heavy balance and multiple sharp edges make it an excellent alternative to a Tomahawk for sport and recreational throwing!

I usually have my old Louisville Slugger baseball bat in the truck. I also carry my fielder's glove and a couple of baseballs, just in case I find a good game somewhere along the trip.

Never heard of anyone charged with a weapons violation for carrying baseball equipment.

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An expandable baton would be a good, easily concealed weapon.

And likely illegal in states where you can’t defend yourself with a firearm.

The ASP 21” expandable baton is only really useful at three things...
1. Reaching across the patrol car to adjust the AC vents or push the mirror back out when you leave the car wash
2. Scratching under you body armor
3. Pinning a snakes head to the earth while you sever its head off from its body...


I’m sure there might be one or maybe two other uses but as an actual baton, they are worthless.

The expandable baton was a PC answer to a question no one was really asking...the standard 24” wooden or poly/fiberglass baton was better and the PR24 was the cats meow...but hickory shampoo looks bad and those big bad cops sauntering around with their (gasp) night sticks...ohh my.

Here’s my advise.
Avoid commie states where you can’t carry.

But I see there is no way outta if, so just carry an innocuous item that has a real other use..
Ball peen hammer
Framing hammer
Camp ax
Hatchet
Baseball bat (bring a glove and a ball)
Bring other tool so it doesn’t look like your play real life “walking dead”

Good luck

I agree with the old style Maglight. Just be sure the batteries work. If they don't, it is considered just a club.

A large bar of soap placed inside an athletic sock.

Silent