CJ, quit damning the "North East " based on Ma. and NY.
Me., NH, and Vt. have less restrictive gun laws than Texas.
For example, we can open carry any where we want, including the State house, with out any kind of permit, NH and Me had CCW decades before Fl made it popular, and the only non Govt place I have ever seen a "No guns" sign was, oddly enough, at a gun show venue.
I can also carry a switch blade or sword legally, get automatic weapons or suppressors with only federal rules, and shoot off fire works.
And we don't have Rattle snakes scorpions, or tornado's.
