What to carry on a road trip, when you can't carry

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DMK

DMK

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I need to go visit LI, NY for about a week. I was raised there and have pretty much avoided the area whenever possible for my entire adult life, but this trip is not avoidable.

I'll be alone for about a 1,000 mile road trip and I'll be staying in a hotel for a week. Obviously, I can't carry my CCW which makes me feel kinda naked.

I'm thinking I'll stay alert, keep situational awareness, carry a Fox Labs pepper spray on the key ring, a cell phone and 3" flip open SOG 'Twitch'.

I'll also take my 4 D cell Maglight, a Surefire G3 with an optional 200 lumen P-91 bulb and 2oz Fox Labs pepper spray for the car and hotel.

Not nearly my Colt CCO or S&W 642 for the comfort factor, but it will have to do I guess.

Any other ideas?
 
You can't conceal carry or can't have a pistol period? I don't know much about NY City/State gun laws.

What about a rifle in the trunk? What about a shotgun?
 
I carry a heavy walking stick sometimes. They are legal everywhere, even if you are young and healthy and they make a formidable weapon if you learn how to use one properly.
 
Sounds like you've got it pretty well covered considering the laws in that area.

I think your Surefire is a good idea. I'd like to have one, but haven't been able to justify the price.
 
I think you've got it covered, for the most part. I remember reading an old article in "tactical knives" called "knives for the big apple", the majority of which were fixed blades under 4 inches, as those were apparently legal there at that time. Things like polkowski polecats or nealy aikuchis in fast-access kydex... at any rate, might be worth considering if you have access to a fixed-blade back up. Probably not worth a ton of effort, given the SOG you already have in your plan, all statistical probability considered. I like the walking stick idea. Add one, and you'll be as geared up as could reasonably be expected.
 
You can't conceal carry or can't have a pistol period? I don't know much about NY City/State gun laws.

What about a rifle in the trunk? What about a shotgun?
Click to expand...
No handguns at all without a permit, which I can't get since I don't live there.

Not sure about long guns. I doubt a loaded long gun in the car would be legal. Unloaded, it's about useless.
 
Surefire G3 (3 cell): $30 +shipping

Surefire G2 (better for pocket carry): $47 w/ free shipping
Click to expand...


Wow. Good to know.

I didn't think there was a Surefire made that wasn't close to $100 if not more.

Need to research my tactical flashlights.

Thanks.
 
Fox Labs, folding knife and bright light are just fine.

My only concern is the small Fox Labs on the keychain -- I have the same and never use it. Better to tuck a 2 oz. in your pocket, I believe.
 
My thinking is I can always tuck the 2oz in the pocket if I have room in the pockets, but I'll still always have the one on keychain either way, even if I forget.
 
A heavy walking stick is far superior to a small knife in most situations. It is faster to get into action because it does not need to be concealed and is already in your hand when trouble starts. It also allows you to strike an opponant who is way out of knife range and is almost always non-lethal.
 
I carried a walking stick and good flashlight when traveling in NY state during the pre-LEOSA days. (LEOSA only applies to LEOs.) Keep in mind that NYC has its own knife laws, and its own way of interpreting (mis-interpreting) what constitutes a gravity knife. It almost makes a guy want to carry a small fixed-blade, very well-concealed, than any folder in NYC. I am not going to recommend any specific folder for NY travel, and refer one to read the applicable laws himself. I think I carried a small Swiss Army Knife and a Spyderco Rescue in NY, and was never on foot in NYC.
 
Since so many crimes tend to occur during fuel stops, a tactic I have used while traveling all over the USA, when I was still free to do so, before my father-in-law became dependent, was to unlatch the trunk or rear hatch while fueling, giving me access to all manner of improvised weapon stored back there. My trips usually included some amount of camping, somewhere along the way, for which a camp axe is handy, and my usual road-trip tools include things such as big wrenches and cheater bars. Yes, there was always the other, more mundane camping equipment and tools back there, too.
 
I'd look seriously into a Combat Umbrella. Had a chance to look at one a couple of weeks ago. Very impressive piece of kit and very low key too
 
The Walking stick sounds like a good idea. If you do not care about having a knife concealed I believe sheath knives are legal in NY but I would check on that. Might be time to invest in a good boot knife if you find one let me know though because I cannot find one made by a good brand.
If all else fails just throw a sledge in the back of your vehicle, although I am not sure how you would conceal it:D. seriously though the walking stick sounds like a good idea so +1 on that.
 
By car? I've never driven a car that didn't have a tire iron in it.
 
A Ball Peen hammer. Seriously. A little league baseball bat and a glove. The glove stays with the bat. Put the hammer in a tool box tray.
 
My wife and I carry pepper spray and folding knives on road trips. The knives sit in the bottom of the pocket and we don't use the pocket clip. In some places we've been, knives and pepper spray are essentially illegal and a visible knife pocket clip can attract LEO attention.

Be discreet.
 
That walking stick advice sounds very good. Even here in NY I'm not sure how they could try to take that away from you. The "authorities" that is. Be aware that carrying one can also make you appear to be a good victim. Gas up in the day time so you don't have to stop when you don't want to. Bring your check book so you can give NY government all the money they seem to require. Count your blessings that you no longer live here.
 
Walking cains are protected by The Americans with Disabilities Act as medical equipment and the nature of your disability is confidential medical information. You can even carry one on a plane. As far as looking like a potential victim, If I find myself in a rough area I hold mine about one third of the way down so that the tip does not touch the ground and the casual observer can tell that I am not lame but that I do have a big stick in my hand. He will probably pick an easier target.
 
Pepper spray is a great option as you have noted, although I'd suggest Sabre over Fox labs.

Just make sure you check the laws on ps as they vary from state to state. IIRC, NJ has a law that pepper spray for civilians must be less than .75 oz.
 
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