Can a trucker have protection in the sleeper?

Trying to get the firearm and ammo out of seperate locking containers and then fumbling with loading while a violent individual is coming in seems like it would be too slow.. might as well have an axe or tire iron at that point.

 

This is why I mostly don’t see the point in carrying anything in the truck. Unless you’ve got it on you and loaded it probably won’t be of any use in a self-defense situation. Maybe if someone try’s breaking into the truck while you’re parked but that would be an unusual situation. Most thieves are smart enough to know somebody will be in there.

 

Well, to be fair, you can beat the hell out of someone with an unloaded shotgun. That said, a tire iron is a better melee weapon.

 

My question: What kind of places are you parking where you need a firearm? Houston comes to mind but if I'm questioning my safety I'll drive another 50 to 100 miles and park somewhere else.

Personally I have a VERY effective self-protection mechanism: my voice and where I park. If a bunch of big trucker men started hearing a female scream out of her truck I'm guessing SOMEONE out there would help me.

Aside from that, I'd probably put a knife through my attackers eye socket if someone made me fear for my life. I'm feisty that way.

Sophia

 

Like MacGyver once said, guns don’t kill people...people kill people. And certain segments of the US population are worse offenders than others. You’re not allowed to say that of course in mixed company, but I guess I just did.

 

I have parked in some sketchy places. Places I did not feel comfortable in. Some examples..

Street parking outside Western Beef in the Bronx.

Street parking next to Land o Lakes in Long Island.

Parking in the back end of the big crappy Pilot in East St Louis.

I thought about parking in the Vince Lombardi lot near NYC once, but when I got a look at it, I said 'Hell No' and ate a potential HOS violation to get a few more miles down the road to a shifty NJ rest area with 5 truck parking spots.

There have been other places that made me be sure to have a little crow bar handy.

 

I’ve never parked overnight at Vince Lombardi, but back when I lived around those parts and drove a day cab i’d Sometimes end up there for lunch break and it never really struck me as a super sketchy place. Overnight parking is a real problem in that area though. I’ve always been lucky to never need to shut down around there.

 

I don't know how bad it is, I just know it looked terrible, and I trusted my gut and stayed away.

 

The pilot in East St. Louis is sketchy to you? Hmmmm.....I don't know man, I've seen places far more sketchier than that one. I did a 34 there last weekend. Done many 34s there. I parked on a side street in Camden, NJ once, and it was way too many lurkers in that area for me. There were other trucks parked there but it didn't ease the discomfort. I didn't sleep well that night.