When I was in Alaska (Kaktovik, north slope area), I bought a little
nylon stock Remmington 22. I really liked that thing and decided to
bring it back to Calif with me on vaction where my home was.
I didn't have a proper gun case, so I wrapped it in a towel and
taped it up a bit. At the time, firearms on aircraft was making the
news. This was the late 60's.

When I boarded the aircraft (C-46) in Kaktovik, I thought I'd be nice, and
check with the pilot. I asked him where I should put it, and he looked
a bit puzzled at my question. Finally, he suggested placing it between
my seat and the window...if that was OK with me.

When I got to Fairbanks, I asked again. The response from the pilot
was that while a pain to worry about , we'd better play the game and
put it in the cockpit.

In Anchorage, people were more business-like about it, but still not
overly concerned.

By the time I got to San Francisco, and checked in, declaring my
firearm, you would have thought I was toting a sack of rattlesnakes,
and just looking for an excuse to set them loose. One person,
(airline worker), actually held it between thumb and forefinger, and held
it away from his body as if expecting it to go off any minute.

The final hop, a commuter, was piloted by an AirForce vet. He said to
do whatever...he could have cared less.

So it's a matter of perception, isn't it?

Would I have one on my boat? I honestly don't know...but probably
not...the San Juan and Gulf Islands area isn't a war zone.... So no
reason to have one aboard.

Norm B who grew up with guns, and has all the emotional reaction at
seeing one as he would a toaster., and yes, I've twice had one
pointed at me at close range.