One of the things that I always bring with me when I travel is a shotgun. For me, having a gun along brings peace of mind should I somehow get stranded in the middle of absolute nowhere, I will be able to signal for help, hunt for food, protect myself, ect. Whether you agree with my reasoning or not, I want you to at least understand my thinking. I of course follow all rules, the gun in secured in a case in back, locked, with the ammunition in a separate locked container. I also pay very close attention to state rules, which is why a shotgun makes sense because it is much less of a perceived threat than say a handgun or rifle.
After climbing the highest point in Louisiana, I made my way towards Mississippi to climb its highest point. It was getting late, so I decided to look for a place to stay. The two biggest things I look for in a camp ground are 1) Cheap and 2) Showers. I got ahold of Camp Shelby, and I learned that I could stay there for $1 a night, a great price for any budget. I typed the address in my GPS, and started heading that way. As I approached, I was kind of surprised at all of the fences and open land in the area. As I approached, I noticed cement barriers closing on either side of my vehicle, and I suddenly realized what was going on; Camp Shelby is a military base!
I wasn't too nervous until I saw the sign explaining how bringing any firearm on to base is a federal offense, and how bad I was going to get punished if I tried. I wanted to back up, but right behind me was some army vehicle of some sort. I keep trying to decide what to say to the MP at the gate. Somehow how, "Hi, I have a gun" didn't seem like a good idea. I decided to cross my fingers and just ask to back up and not go on base. Dumb idea.
I get to the gate, and I am told that I HAVE to go on base because I am at the gate. I will have to check out at another spot. Well crap. There I am, an inch away from a federal offense, trying not to cry, driving on a military base with a shotgun. Lucky for me, I didn't get stopped, and nothing more happened. Why do they call military bases "camps" anyway?
After climbing the highest point in Louisiana, I made my way towards Mississippi to climb its highest point. It was getting late, so I decided to look for a place to stay. The two biggest things I look for in a camp ground are 1) Cheap and 2) Showers. I got ahold of Camp Shelby, and I learned that I could stay there for $1 a night, a great price for any budget. I typed the address in my GPS, and started heading that way. As I approached, I was kind of surprised at all of the fences and open land in the area. As I approached, I noticed cement barriers closing on either side of my vehicle, and I suddenly realized what was going on; Camp Shelby is a military base!
I wasn't too nervous until I saw the sign explaining how bringing any firearm on to base is a federal offense, and how bad I was going to get punished if I tried. I wanted to back up, but right behind me was some army vehicle of some sort. I keep trying to decide what to say to the MP at the gate. Somehow how, "Hi, I have a gun" didn't seem like a good idea. I decided to cross my fingers and just ask to back up and not go on base. Dumb idea.
I get to the gate, and I am told that I HAVE to go on base because I am at the gate. I will have to check out at another spot. Well crap. There I am, an inch away from a federal offense, trying not to cry, driving on a military base with a shotgun. Lucky for me, I didn't get stopped, and nothing more happened. Why do they call military bases "camps" anyway?
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