I don't know... but I would think the crime rate against truckers is very low because crooks know they are in communication with other turckers ..and there are many rough and tough truckers who would just love the opportunity to f*** someone up legally. I know I would. Call me and I'll open a can of kickass on your assaliant.

Anyway, that aside... back to the subject of "packing heat" .....

I'm wondering if anyone has the balls to ask Homeland Security there position on protecting a hasmat load. After all they have screened and ok'ed a hazmat driver through FBI and background checks... which are probably as through as most gun toating lawmen go through.

I wonder if a driver carrying poisions, explosives, toxic waste, radioactive materials... etc. is potentially a terrorist target. They must be... why would they require this rigerous background check. And... aren't truck pilots just as important as aircraft pilots?

Thursday, July 11, 2002 WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted Wednesday in favor of anti-terror legislation letting commercial airline pilots carry firearms in the cockpit.

Lawmakers approved the measure 310-113. The bill would allow firearms for more than 70,000 pilots if they agree to be trained and certified by the federal Transportation Security Administration, or TSA. It also provides liability relief to the pilots and airlines for damage that might be caused by the use of such guns aboard planes.

You can google "homeland security" and the first thing that comes up includes a contact link to ask them. Inquiring minds want to know.

So my new company won't let me carry a weapon(firearms) so is their a size limit on knifes,daggers, throwing knifes. what about even stun guns.

Just get a Kel-Tec P3AT .380 and keep it in your pocket. Outta sight... outta mind...

Unless you do something retarded around a police officer, nobody is gonna know you have it.

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I'm not a doctor... but I play one on the internet

If you had read his post, his company does not let them carry weapons.

Why would you tell him to violate company policy and maybe lose his job?


As far as knives, entering Canada, the blade is limited to under 4 inches. Switchblades are illegal.

No company will let you carry a weapon. I guess I should have clarified... do not point it at your dispatcher and no playing cowboys and indians in the driver's lounge. Sorry, but no matter what the company policy, I ain't bringing a knife to a gun fight.

Maybe he feels the need to carry some sort of weapon because he has to drive on I-4 where convicted felons, who aren't supposed to have pistols, shoot at truck drivers. Or maybe he delivers to Clorox in Tampa. Whatever the reason, you either carry discreetly and give yourself a fighting chance, or follow the letter of the law and hope the ambulance shows up before you bleed to death.

Seeing things in the news like the situation at the Clorox facility, is changing my position on carrying in a truck, regardless of the law.

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I'm not a doctor... but I play one on the internet

Your thoughts. I have done this for over 8 years. I have delivered in alot of bad areas. I have never worried about the safety to even consider violating company policy and carry a gun.

I have never carried a gun. I have never felt I needed to.

I don't believe we should be telling a new driver to violate his company rules and to carry a weapon not allowed.

If you feel that unsafe out there, maybe you need to change jobs.

I think it was another thread where I detailed an incident where I had a gun pulled on me at a truckstop in Dallas. I had a different view at that time:

[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

Like I said earlier, recent incidents are beginning to make me change my mind.

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I'm not a doctor... but I play one on the internet

Thanks, there was a guy who had a permit to carry ended up shooting a guy self defense no charges against him but co. fired him for going against co. policy having it in truck.

I guess he loses both ways huh?

Either he dies and keeps his job... or lives and loses it. I pick the latter.

__________________
I'm not a doctor... but I play one on the internet

Well, there are probably 3 times as many truckers who don't carry. The odds would be against them. There is very little crime overall. If you pay attention to your surroundings, that is your major security.

By the way, I doubt the two options are really, you die or you carry a gun. What a life you must have.