DOT doesn't go around looking for guns. I've never once been asked if there were any weapons in the truck, even going into Canada. In states that allow "open carry", a license is not required, however the weapon should be transported in a manner consistent with that states laws. There are a couple of very good sites related to this, on is [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. and the other is [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

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Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.

Patrick Henry

I have had DOT officers to ask me if there are any guns in the truck or other weapons. Others have not. I carry a concealed handgun and have a NC conceal carry permit. However I don't run states that "do not" honor the NC permit. Even if I were transporting "through" a state that doesn't honor the NC permit. If I leave a state that does honor and my destination state does also, I may drive through a non permit honoring state legally if I store the gun in a manner that complies with that states firearm transportation laws. These gun laws are public info in all states websites. I only run the states that border NC and FL, they all honor NC conceal permits. There is a total of 30 states honoring the NC permit now. Last year there were only 26 so things are looking up regarding permits.
Now the interesting part. I started my own trucking business in 2007 and have only 1 truck and trailer......... I operate under my own authority and I believe its the only way to go, SERIOUSLY........... The DOT audited my small business in Oct. 2007. The inspector was at my house for 1.5 hours and checked every single last detail of my business. I passed! While the inspector was there I asked if I was always legal in my semi concealing including the weigh stations. I was told it's my truck and if I have the permit and follow the permit rules it's no diferent than in my car. (A company driver has a different situation, company policy) If a shipper/receiver does not allow guns I have a custom locking (super locking) place bolted in my truck to store it. I have never had an issue and don't worry about it because "I am legal". One more thing, NC started the conceal handgun permit program in 1995 and to date "not one permit holder" has ever committed a gun crime.
To all out there, be safe.

There are some that would not be alive today had they not had a gun. There are also some that have saved the lives of their own family including children only because they had a gun. You can hear their stories on video by going to the NRA website or youtube and search NRA survivors. The main stream media doesn't like to talk about the positive side of gun owners. Yes it could destroy your life if you took a life when you shouldn't, or was proud of it and bragged. I can see where it would come back to haunt someone.
If it meant saving the life of a family member or another innocent person though why wouldn't you? I could not live with myself thinking I did nothing when I could made a difference.
If deadly force is used against me, I will not just lay down and take it for them. I will try my best to defend my life by any means necessary. I practice techniques often to try and stay prepared. Unless something like that happens, you would never know I have a firearm in public.
Please take the concealed handgun coarse if you live in a state that offers the permit so you learn what is considered by law legal use of deadly force. I was surprised to learn how fine the lines can be between when it's OK to shoot and not. These classes are worth taking just for that reason.
Most police are good people, imagine a crazed gunman shooting people somewhere in public. He is getting closer to you, you call 911 and police are on the way. Now what will you do? The police are coming, but the killer is coming now! Police can't be super cop! That isn't a situation I would want to be in unarmed.
My postings are intended to try and help those who may be curious, not to try and prove anything. I just found this forum today. I don't know everything but this is an area I study often. My small trucking business supports children ages 8, 6, 14 months and a stay at home mom who is scheduled to deliver another baby in April Our kids are home schooled and my wife has also completed the conceal carry class.

I am adding the below information for those who are interested. Careful not to put the actual web link. I don't want another infraction on here. Google Cornell University Law School and search for US CODE: Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 44, 926A. It explain how Federal law allows transportation of firearms from one legal possession state to another legal possession state providing the gun is unloaded and no ammunition or gun is readily accessible in the same area with the driver or it can be locked in a container or case but not a glove box or console.

All of this is of no value if the company you drive for prohibits firearms. It is also of no value when the shipper or receiver prohibits them.

I agree with ROADMEDIC.

MY company in paticular could care less about this.

They have their own set of rules that we are governed by, and it states clear, NO FIREARMS allowed on the grounds, or in company vehicles.

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The Truckers Report Merchandise

Again as I stated. "For those who are interested". We are not all company drivers. It has no value to you if you are bound by a company policy. For those of us who are able to legally run routes where this applies, then it may have value. So, I agree with both of you as well and do not promote breaking your companies policy................................. This thread is about firearms and the road, correct?

I am not a company driver. I am an Owner/Operator and lease to companies. My Lease Agreements CLEARLY state no firearms.

There are many states that ban firearms in commercial vehicles whether they are locked up or not. Possession is the key word.

If you were to cross into Canada, there are issues there.

I know alot of drivers carry. I personally do not see the need.

Again "It was for those who are interested" By all means, don't carry if you have a contract stating it's against company policy. Don't carry if you aren't trained and don't hold a concealed carry permit Don't carry if you don't see a need.

I run under my own authority and hold a NC Conceal Carry permit. It is only issued to someone after cpmpleting a class approved by the NC Justice Dept and then extensive background checks are done, criminal and mental . There are police officers working now that would not meet the bar for a conceal permit if they were a civilian. Example: If someone has ever had a restraining order against them they can't get the permit, but it doesn't exempt them from being a policeman.

30 states do honor the NC permit and I know which ones do. I know when and where it is OK to carry and when not to. Thats what the Justice Dept. Outlines in the classes and much more.

I don't run Canada and don't plan to. I have in the past when I was a company driver. Like others running under their own authority I dispatch myself so staying legal is not an issue.

NC started the conceal carry program in 1995 and to date not one permit holder has committed a gun crime.

I have had to stare down a gun barrel once in my life in 1997 when I was robbed by a man seemingly on drugs. I believed I was going to be killed. Had he not been worried about someone hearing the shot and seeing him shoot me, I believe he would have. So I see a need to carry a gun and not only that take extensive tactical training on using it. As long as my life or someone elses is threatened nobody would ever know it is on me. I don't love guns or display it, it is strictly a survival tool.

When police run a drivers license check on a permit holder their stress level goes down because they know that person has no criminal background.

I was audited by the DOT in Oct 2007 and the inspector was at my home 1-1/2 hours. I asked questions regarding the firearm in my truck and there were no negative comments at all from the DOT inspector.

Again, that posting I made of the US code above is "For those who are interested". To a law abiding citizen wanting to better understand what is legal and what isn't. That info could be extremely valuable. To someone who isn't able to carry due to policy or if you don't see the need. I agree, it has no value.

I am concerned about what is legal and am only sharing it. A criminal with an illegal gun isn't going to care about the law regarding guns.

millergun, thanks for all your recent posts. I found them all interesting.