I disagree on your things being harder on the state, depending on the state. California by itself has the fifth largest economy in the world and the U.S. has always "needed" California more than California has needed the U.S. Same with Texas. Texas and Flordia have the 15th and 17th largest economys in the world respectively they'd probably do fine. If Vermont went through with their "Switzerland of the New World" idea I don't think they'd do all that well. Basicly bigger states could probably get away with it smaller ones couldn't.
You do know that California is bankrupt, right?
Taking away the large amount of Federal money would put their economy into an even bigger tailspin.
If California did leave the Union, and the United States went in to take it back, I think California would have no choice but to give up and return. Most of their citizens would have a problem knowing what end of firearm a bullet exits, would be limited to magazine size of 10 and under, and forget about any notion of anything that even appears to be an "assault rifle". The only problem is that we have people on OCDO from California and other state firearm groups who may be able to set up some pretty solid resistance. The way to control that, though, would be for us to let them be on their own for a while and, with no acknowledgment of a right to keep and bear arms in effect, anyone who would be a worthy opponent would have escaped. Furthermore, if we let them have their way for a while as an independent entity, I think they would probably be inclined to disarm everybody they could... even the police and military. The United States Military could then casually walk across the border and take it back due to ineffective opposition.
Texas? Maybe, they already think they are independent and sovereign.
Florida, I could ALMOST believe... except for their reliance on tourist dollars... and if the US just shut the border at the moment of secession the lack of that money would kill the economy, not to mention that most of the residents along the east coast ( Vero Beach, south) would be upset that they couldn't return to New York/ New Jersey when the weather there warmed up... they too would capitulate.
*The statements above are sarcastic ramblings. It is in no way the intent of this author to disparage people from California, Texas, New York, and or New Jersey in general nor our brothers and sisters who stand with us in support of the 2nd Amendment. But you must admit...