Carry a lever action rifle (357 or 45 colt unless deer season then 30-30 or 35 Rem) and spare 9mm pistol all the time in my truck. These are kept locked in a strong box bolted to the truck under rear seat.
Travel extensively in the Midwest/Mountain West. I also carry a sidearm concealed unless prohibited, in our State that is just K-12, county jail, and federal buildings. City, county, state, and public universities are all open to concealed carry.
I carry a firearm, a FAK, shovel, fire extinguisher, tow strap, high lift, and wear a seat belt. These are all tools to support me in the event they they are needed. Twice I have deployed my rifle once to remove a coyote stalking a newborn calf and once for a groundhog that was living under a barn and we couldn't get close enough to handle with a shovel or handgun.
they are tools no different than a winch, skid plate, lights, or wrenches and when needed most folks are damn glad someone has one available!