1993 . . . quit my job flew to atlanta, hitched to the southern terminus and walked back. Weight: started with a 70+lb pack; by the Smokies, I had dumped extra clothes, books, a fishing rod (yup), and was down to about 35lbs with food. That was before FB and Insta, so no accolades except didn't have to carry all that shit. Dumped tent and stove and slept on tarp and in shelters and ate PB&honey and reconsitituted hummus until Manchester Center Vt. Now btw, there's all this ultra-light stuff. My pack alone weighed probably 6 or 7 lbs.
I would not have carried a gun because of the weight. Also, there's not much privacy, so good luck keeping your shelter-mates from becoming snitches. Only had one run-in with the law - in, I think, Chesire, MA. Buddy and I went into the local Y where we were supposed to be able to get a shower. It was Sunday - the door was unlocked and we went in. Alarm sounded and the local cops were there blaring in minutes. Funny to see me and my middle-aged hiking buddy covered in dirt and 5 months of beard growth. They did question us, took our info for their report and left us be. I would not want to have been carrying that day.