The Big Trip: El Paso

Made it to El Paso last night. Took about 10 hours total, including the time I wasted by locking my keys in the car at a truck stop in Fort Stockton. But Mazda Roadside Service sent a nice man with tattoos on his face to get the car open, and I was on my way.

This is the first time I've carried a loaded gun with me for any reason. It gives one a peculiar sense, which is nothing like invincibility. In fact, during those 10 hours on the road I thought a lot about what kinds of situations would call for me to draw the weapon and what kind wouldn't. Would I know the difference? Would I be able to act in time? Was I capable of firing if I had to?

I think if the answer to any of those questions is "no" then a person shouldn't carry a gun. Odd as it may sound, there is a certain feeling of security in not carrying a gun. You're never forced to make any of those decisions, or to even think about them. Carrying a deadly weapon is a huge responsibility, and it's much easier to turn that over to someone else. The problem is, if there is no one else, you're stuck. There are parts of the interstate where a cell phone won't work, and there are some unfriendly people out there.

Anyway, on to California today. Somewhere around the AZ border I'll stow the weapon in the back. Parts of eastern California have relatively lax gun laws, but it's not clear where that applies and I don't want to take a chance. I need to get as close to L.A. as possible tonight. Another update at the next stop.