Self defense for truckers
 

so, today i finished my third day of the CDL driving class. one of the instructors told me that federal law says that you can't carry a firearm in a commercial vehicle. does anyone on here know where i can find more info about this law? i would also like information about any pro trucker self defense groups that i could join.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Self defense for truckers
 

I carried one with me for years when I drove a truck and was ok as long as I stayed in a state that honored my permit. The company I drove for had a no firearms policy themselves but most of them knew I carried it and never said anything.

Re: Self defense for truckers
 

so you've never heard of any law regarding carrying in a commercial vehicle?:confused:

Re: Self defense for truckers
 

No I never have. If it is your truck then it is your property. If you are driving for someone else and they have a no gun policy then you may have to abide by their rules. I chose not to and I was stopped a few times by Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas Highway Patrol and never had any issues when I gave them my permit.

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err... just for reference, how long has it been since you drove a truck?:o

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About 4 years ago. Hope I never have to get behind the wheel of another one.

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why not? was it a tough job?

Re: Self defense for truckers
 

Here is a site I found regarding laws

http://concealedcarryforum.com/forum...TOPIC_ID=21590

Re: Self defense for truckers
 

awesome, thanks for the link!

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If I was a commercial driver I would have one with me all of the time, I have friends and relatives that are drivers and they are always armed.

Re: Self defense for truckers
 

Feds say no, I was caught at the scales and i had to bluff my way out. It's my truck and my home so im allowed. They let it go and i hauled home next and took it out never to be in my sleeper again.that was in cal . good luck on your driving and watch out for dummies. Made me park my truck for fear of getting killed.

Re: Self defense for truckers
 

what i'm looking for is the specific legislation/policy/royal decree that says no guns in a CMV.

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Try usdot.com. takes reading but.... I think it's called Interstate transportation of a firearm.

Re: Self defense for truckers
 

and just a thought , you could put your ammo in the cubby hole and a empty piece in the sleeper. No protection but its legal. like being parked and having a beer, used to be ok but nomore. i was lucky my keys were in my house as i washed my truck in the driveway. they tried (local cops) and i asked how in hell do i move it with no keys!

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Re: Self defense for truckers
 

That instructor is an idiot. As long as the states you travel in honor your permit and you abide by their carry laws, you're good to go. For states that don't.... keep a lockable pistol case with you. Stop before entering such states and unload and lock it up then store it in the compartment under the bunk and the ammo someplace else. Just follow regulations for transporting.


ps- the right lane ain't broke and you won't fall off the edge of the road so... use it

Re: Self defense for truckers
 

That is good advice for anyone that drives.:thumbsup:

Re: Self defense for truckers
 

I've got a letter from the Sec of Transportation somewhere on this subject. I had heard this same thing for years. It's not true but many believe it.
You must have a permit from your home state.
You must follow the laws of the state you are in.
The weapon must not be accessable from the drivers seat.
The ammo must be seperated from the weapon.

There is more but that is what I remember.

Just remember that you will be sleeping in places at night most cops won't go in the daytime.
Load your weapon when you go to bed and unload it when you wake up.

Good luck and your instructor needs to show you the law that says you can't carry.
Be prepared for a long wait because it's not there.

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NOBODY tells me I cant protect myself. I will roll the dice.

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You may want to consider a can of wasp and hornet spray. Legal everywhere, but if someone tries to drag you out of the rig.....hose em down.

will give you time to load your gun, smoke a cig. and pee before they come at you again.

Re: Self defense for truckers
 

The Peaceable Journey Law is the only regulation I know of.
TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I--CRIMES

CHAPTER 44--FIREARMS

Sec. 926A. Interstate transportation of firearms

Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or
regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person
who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting,
shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a
firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully
possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully
possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the
firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being
transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the
passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in
the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver's
compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked
container other than the glove compartment or console.

There is NO regulation in the FMCSR -Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
I carried in a big truck for decades. A law...no.
An interpretation 'of the law' by some LEO...YES.
If you are dispatched to go into Canada.....I suggest you better not have
a gun in your possession .....If you're dispatched to a military base, you could have some problems, although a camera and a laptop are just as bad. [I used to frequent military bases, carried, and locked everything in a secure cage at the checkpoint, picked it up on the way out]
Get caught with a gun in your truck in California.....we may never hear from you again.
California will not even allow a baseball bat in a commercial vehicle.....not for any reason.
Legal ?? I doubt it.....enforced...you bet.
New Jersey.....Chicago....hmmm....you could be in real trouble.....
Legal ? ENFORCED by their own interpretation !!!!
You are guilty....until you prove your innocence .....
I drove for 43yrs and owned a transportation company for
most of them. I've not only heard the rumors, and the stories,but have seen it.
And there are many others of us....right here on this forum that also have.
Just for reference, many years ago you had to acquire a permit from each state
to carry a weapon in your truck. Renew it each year. Connecticut was by far
the easiest to get....5$ in the mail.

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We had an incident here in Knoxville a few years ago. A driver decided to sleep at at a customers dock to be first out in the morning. Sometime during the night a BG shows up and attempts to break in and rob this driver. This driver shoots BG who is now dead guy. Police arrive and take statements. Dead guys girlfriend states that dead guy had her drive him there with intentions to rob the driver. Now this driver is from Bama and had no permit. LEO deemed it SD, no charges filed, driver was free to go. Girlfriend charged as accomplice and arrested.

Dans idea is a good one. I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6.

You decide what you will do.

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You CAN carry in a cmv provided that YOU are legal to carry any other time. So, if you have a concealed carry permit, and it's honored in the state your in, then your clear legally. However, many companies don't allow a weapon in their vehicles. So check company policy and know the laws of the states you'll be traveling in. Remember that in CA you can't even smoke in your truck, acording to their laws. It is your place of business, and as per CA law you are not allowed to smoke in any place of business! Stupid laws, created by stupid people!

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Really funny [not] ....Years ago......NM and AZ had 'opposite' laws
on carry, of which I don't remember exactly ....but one state required
the gun to be visible, the other hidden...one could be loaded, the other
separate from the ammo.....something of that nature.....
Not that anyone has ever accused me of being a smartass....but I did ask a trooper WHERE THE HELL am I supposed to 'switch' the weapons status
to comply with the law......ON the state line.....before the state line...after
the state line.....is there markings on the shoulder [break down lane] with a
measured designated area for this......he thought I was a smartass....:eek:

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Great idea for anyone who finds them selves in a situation where they can not have a gun! BUT, consider that federal law prohibits the use of any pesticide "in a manner inconsistent with its labeling." Likewise, some states forbid carrying substances for self-protection that aren't specifically authorized for that purpose. Stupid laws, created by stupid people!