A couple thoughts, its been mostly good info responding to the question. Its a personal choice. if you choose yes, please get decent training in the use, and avoidance of use in various situations. You may find useful info in Kathy Jacksons site cornered cat. What many dont understand is, having a firearm doesnt make you more careless or reckless, it should make you more careful. Avoiding foolish interactions such as road rage, and other unthinking human activities. if your training doesnt stress how to avoid and de-escalate problems, you should look elsewhere. If you cant ignore someones rage and insults, you may be best without a firearm.
Legality and travel. Theres much misunderstanding of the subject. Theres no requirement to register a gun in another state. Be aware that some states have stricter laws, and restrict or prohibit some types of guns, certain magazines, and in the case of New jersey, what type of ammo. You also dont want to cross the Canadian border with a handgun, but a long gun, meaning a rifle or shotgun, is OK to travel in Canada with so long as its reported to the border people and all paperwork is done beforehand. If one wishes to travel in Canada, do some research as to correct procedures to do so, and what types of guns are allowed, and its otherwise fairly painless. One note about Canada, its allowed there to have a firearm for protection from wild animals, its NOT allowed to have a firearm for protection from people, so dont even mention it in a joking way. They have a notoriously poor sense of humor about such things, but the Canadian border people Ive dealt with have been very nice, polite and professional when traveling through with firearms.
There are federal laws meant to protect travelers with firearms that travel to various states. In general the most restrictive states require the gun to be unloaded and cased when traveling through their state. With the history of being difficult for non-residents to posses firearms in some states, some people prefer to drive straight through those states when possible and not stop overnight. Observe any restrictions regarding where you can or cannot have or carry one, and you should be fine. Its mostly common sense. There are websites that specialize in the details of state by state laws, and which honor other states carry permits. Just to have one unloaded in a vehicle doesnt usually require a permit, for the most part, but to carry one on you concealed usually does. Some states have no concealed carry permit requirement.