Do you carry?

Federal regulations now prohibit carrying firearms in the truck, so most drivers do not carry or will not openly say that they do. I do know that many do, though.

The most common self-defense tool is a "tire thumper," which is usually just a big stick or similar item used to "thump" tires to make sure they're fully inflated. It's useless for actually checking anything on tires (use a gauge!), but is a good self-defense tool in a pinch. I personally use/carry a 3-cell MagLite as a tire thumper.

Really, though, it's not nearly as dangerous as the movies would have you believe. If you have any kind of common sense, you won't get into dangerous situations and will quickly learn the bad places to park. That said, I think the smarter driver will keep some heat in his rig...

 

It is against the law to carry protection (firearm) in a CMV don't know about a bat etc.. the criminals are allowed though. I have not had any problems out there at all................YET.

 

I use to carry a can of Police Issue Mase. Not the Cheap stuff you buy at WalMart. DOT Seen it as they inspected, and never said a word.

 

I do not think walmart carries mace anylonger atleast not the ones here in my town I went to a police supply store in the neighboring town and bought me a can of police issue mace but mine is a little better it has a little shot of tear gas in it.

Needed it for my other work that I use to do.

 

You have to be careful about what you carry. Not for legal reasons, but because of how it works. Firing off a Mace or Pepper Spray can inside a truck is going to disable you as much as your attacker.

I have a can of Pepper Mace (MACE and Pepper Spray combined) which streams out of the can in a "gel" form. It shoots in a straight line and has the consistency of vaseline. So when the attacker tries to wipe it off, it just smears around...

I used to sell security products online and teach self-defense classes. Most people get into these things not knowing what they're getting into and become a risk to themselves because of it.

 

I took karate for 4 years and when ever i thought i was at a bad truck stop i would take my car key and stick it between my index and middle finger but i never had a problem, even when i got lost in chicago and almost got stuck under a low clearance bridge i didn't have much problems except a hooker tried to get in my truck after i plainly told her to get the F off my truck 3 times luckly the police showed up in time and the lady got out of there, thank you chicago police

 

Good plan with the keys. A kubotan is small, legal in all states (if wooden, metal ones are restricted in Communist Republics like Kalifornia), and more effective.

At any rate, I'm a pretty big guy already (6'3", 240lbs) and haven't had any real problems with anyone. I've had some give me the "eye" a couple of times - once at the famous Ontario, CA TA. But that's it.

 

I don't carry my gun in the truck but I have (on driver side) a 4 D cell mag light; most states banned my 6 D so I leave it at home, in the door. Also a tire thumper in the side box. (passenger side) tire thumper in door and a tire iron in the side box. I'm covered when outside the truck. And a easy to get to knife is nice to keep as well. Just make sure its 50 state legal (blade 4.75", single edge, no switch, or butterfly).

As for pepper sprays stay away from that cheep walmart stuff. I have sprayed that stuff on food like a seasoning to prove its not effective.
If you can get a cop to order the real thing that they use make sure you scrape the can up to cover where it says 'for law enforcement use only' on the can. If it don't say this its not the same. If you are found with one that says that you WILL go to jail. Also the 'gel'/'foam' sprays are not as good because the vapors being drawn into the lungs is what dose most of the damage. The thick sprays have less vapors. Also if the attacker is shielding his eyes when you spray it will take some time for it to run down into their eyes/face. I worked in security for a while and took it upon myself to get qualified to carry everything I could. I did a lot of reading and have used most of the sprays out there. I have tested every one I could get in my hands on myself to build a tolerance to it and see first hand what was best. If your going to go this route look into the MK4 10% OC Police Size, or if you want to stay legal go to a sporting goods store and buy a can of Alaskan Magnum bear spray. If it will stop a bear it will stop any one .