I feel my EDC is my self preservation, last defense against a weaponized assailant. The EDC stays with me at all times exercising caution of course.
Also, it depends on where you go and what you did with or having that firearm.
Don’t allow exhibition of the handgun, especially in sensitive confines.
Driving like a maniac is generally a good way to get stopped, same with having expired tags or other silly traffic related offenses.
Basically, there’s no need to announce my carry wherever I go so long as I follow the rule - Don’t ask /Don’t tell. Does the local jurisdiction have manpower? Federal land doesn’t permit EDC, but who ever gets asked? Is it a fine or confiscation or both? Game wardens used to confiscate all tackle when caught without a fishing license or over limit.
Out of state, it’s more likely I’m going to be a reliable witness rather than an active pursuer. Rather give up my wallet or some chump wad than engage unnecessarily.
Other lesser what-if‘s exists, such as an out-of-towner could get incapacitated, seriously hurt by accident, having an EDC discovered by either falling out or by hospital staff will alert authorities.
Big city problems; there’s a good chance of getting accosted driving an SUV than a pickup or sedan - unless its a Kia/Hyundai. Having a firearm or any valuables laying or hidden on board is lost too.
Leaving a firearm in a vehicle is my very the last option, if I’m not going through a magnetometer, like at a government building or airport, I just don’t carry that day.
Never leave a firearm untethered - cable it to something. It’s safe household practice to keep it safe from kids, but making it harder to steal altogether is another purpose. Like those hotel safes…not too sure about those who might know the combination previously. Find something to cable to. Tipping the housekeeper up front forms a personal bond, nothing too extravagant so it’s not be perceived as a high roller, but enough to keep the shady from being light fingered.
Air travel;
Photograph your checked-in locked/secured firearm bag set up. Do this too if driving with lock boxes/safes. Keep the photo on the phone and email a copy or two to yourself and others, I also do this with my ID‘s and passport. Serial numbers are important to have on hand too.
Why? If that firearm or vehicle is stolen, that photo is time stamped evidence that it was properly secured should it later ever be used and recovered in a crime. Plus, validates due caution was taken in matters of safety and liability.
I asked an airport TSA supervisor about checked-in baggage theft once the bag leaves TSA screening section. They couldn't say, it more an issue with airline employee tampering AND baggage claim carousel theft.
It’s a known fact that firearms need to be declared and checked in by special process. These luggage bags are opened and inspected by TSA who making sure firearm is empty, (it helps if the slide is locked back, or cylinder is open and flags inserted), the magazine is empty and detached, and ammo is boxed and separate.
I asked TSA if a cable lock on a gun case is permitted, and if that cable extended from the trigger guard, through a hole in the case and locked to a solid frame rail on the luggage all while still kept in that gun case would cause any issues with the TSA inspection.
He said the only issue that they have is if they cannot open that gun case, meaning so as long as they can inspect (see thru X-ray) that the firearm is unloaded and meets ammo/mag kept separate policy, they will not need to open the gun case.
My point being that when a handgun case is checked in, cabling the gun and case to a larger portion of the luggage case, it makes the theft that much more difficult or get stolen by someone rummaging through the luggage during the post TSA transport. Airline employees go through a background check, but anything goes after that. They have a limited access and restriction on tools and implements that could defeat security locks on luggage, but nothing is guaranteed.