Greg,
First off there is no way that going US. 50 will be faster than going 64. I do not know your traveling style, you might find it interesting to go through one little, one light, town after another. But time wise you would be better to drop down to 64 and just zip across the state. Plus going 64 puts you 3 miles from my house, so I'm buying the pizza. It also doesn't put you too far from a couple of decent shooting courses, a 40 minute detour would put you at the Illinois Tax payers supported World Shooting Complex - where you can see miles of traps, cowboy action "corals" (whatever they are called), a couple sporting clays courses, etc.
You would also not be far from the taxpayer supported college where "huntschool" has his game farm management / shooting facility operator school.
I point out that to show that once you get down to our part of the state we are pretty gun friendly. Our tax dollars go to support the shooting industry.
I'm not advocating that you break the law, but I also do not think you need to be too worried about being harassed. You are not going to have the gun sitting out on your dash board are you? (frankly I don't feel a particular need to arm myself driving through either 50 or 64. Far away from any city crime, and not depressed like parts of far southern IL.)
On the other hand if you do go to Paducah you can check out Lewis Drake's store in Murray. You could probably pick up some trinkets to decorate your new study..., and then I am not sure if Jeff's Outfitters (formerly Cape Outfitters) really has a store for customers to stop by.
If your schedule allows, let me know when you are passing through.
