> I think one of the things he worries about is that the heavy >stuff in the trunk will damage the tires on my car driving on >windy mountain raods.

Heavy stuff? I thought this was camping gear? Does it weigh more than a person? But he'd carry a passenger wouldn't he?
Can't say I've heard of cases of anybody mugging someone for their transport in an emergency? Does it happen?
But as you say a good idea to learn how to use the family guns. It's very easy.
Could your husband actually do that week long walk? One thing in 'the death of grass' betrays the script not being written by a a walker, is that the group would have been in real trouble after walking 50 miles in fashionable shoes. Your feet will be a mess of blood and blisters.
Try walking 50 miles, it is tough if you aren't used to it. But unless you are in a hurricane or earthquake zone I can't see anything likely to make him need to.
The Sock