Along with these concerns, I also see concerns about bringing long guns into a hotel discreetly.
Having a rifle accessible in a vehicle.
Being able to fire a rifle in a vehicle.
Running afoul of state laws.
To the first concern, I fold the stock on my Mini-14 and put it in the suitcase. When I am on the road, I lock the doors. Is there some risk it will get stolen? Yes. But where else am I going to put my suitcase, 3 PIM sets, an Anritsu, and the $10K to $20K in other tools that are in my car? Odds are if someone stole the Dodge Caravan that's parked outside my room, they're making out better than if they stole a Mercedes.
To the second concern, I was staying in a decent Comfort Inn in the Los Angeles area a few years ago. The cop who pulled the guy below me out of his room felt he needed a long gun, AND felt he needed 7 or 8 buddies with guns. If the cops need long guns at a hotel, why is it so outlandish to think someone else might need a long gun at a hotel?
Besides, my rifle isn't just for the hotel. People who know what an Anritsu or a PIM set is will understand that I work in, and travel through, some very remote areas. If the police are in town 20 miles away, it's going to take a long time for them to get to me. Assuming they can find me in the woods two miles off the nearest named road. Assuming I have enough service to call them in the first place. So considering the situation, I hope to have more range and more bullets than the other guy.
As for bringing a riffle or shotgun into a hotel room. Are you thinking that I just walk in with a rifle slung over my shoulder? Most defensive shotguns and rifles will break down somehow and fit in a suitcase. If it's a lever gun or some other long gun that won't break down, just put it in a rifle case. I've never seen anyone that cares about this.
The long gun doesn't have to be that accessible in a vehicle. That;s why you have a sidearm. I suppose it's fine if you travel in a area where you can leave a long gun in the front seat. But I keep mine in the suitcase in the back seat, where I would have to fight my way to it with my CCW. And I'm okay with that, because it's reserved for the most extraordinary situations.
As for being able to fire a rifle from the driver's seat- that's why I have my CCW.
As for running afoul of state laws, I restrict most of my travel to the Southeast, and I follow the law. I suppose it's possible I will run into a cop that doesn't know the law. But it hasn't happened in the 17 years I've been traveling for work.
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