Weapons

This is a tough subject. Let me start by saying that I am a huge proponent of the 2nd Amendment, and I believe that truckers should have the right to carry concealed in their vehicles at all times. When we're out on the road, these trucks are our homes, and we should all be able to defend ourselves in our own homes.

Now with that out of the way, whether or not you carry a weapon in your truck is completely up to you, just be sure you are ready to pay the consequences if you are found to have a weapon by your company or law enforcement. You can guarantee termination if your company finds out, but that is small potatoes compared to what would happen if a State Trooper from Jersey found a gun in your truck.

If there were any company policies that I would be willing to break, this would be one of them. The worst they can do is fire you (been there, done that, got the t-shirt). However, until there is a national CPL licensing system, I'm not going to risk carrying in my truck. As often as I go through Illinois and the Northeast, I'd be locked up on day one.

Other options I would consider but not necessarily endorse include hunting knives, pepper spray, taser/stun guns, tire thumpers, cheater bars, etc. Always be sure you know the laws in the state that you are driving in, and if you do break company policy and/or the law, be prepared to pay the consequences for your decision.

 

How I want one

 

Big companies just flat out disallow weapons due to liability.
If YOU die, the insurance pays out 10 to 20 grand.
If you KILL an attacker, they can be sued for MILLIONS by family.

In defense of SNI, they are the ONLY company who answered a survey that it is NOT "illegal" to carry firearms in trucks... just against their company policy.
A real refreshing thing to find honesty where MOST companies LIE and say it's illegal.

 

I know my company allows guns in the truck or at least will come January 5th when our CCW laws become active!

 

you better be sure in IL...

 

January 5th the CCW law becomes active and as of October 1st you can apply for your CCW and take the proper classes... It also has no mention of not being able to carry concealed in a commercial motor vehicle just like all the other states as long as you abide by all the proper laws. I also know for a fact that my company does not care. The boss has actually already encouraged us to take the course to be able to carry in his trucks. I drive local in Chicago and we go into some rough areas and confrontation has happened in regards to money many many times and will continue to happen.

 

You can legally carry concealed in a CMV in a state you have a concealed weapons permit or a state that reciprocates your states concealed weapons permit. All other states would be illegal, mainly the northeast, Illinois and the extreme west coast. Just because you can legally carry doesn't mean squat if your a company driver and your company has a written policy forbidding it. The law wont mess with you but you could be terminated.

 

Per Schneider's rule book.

No weapons of any type are permitted in a cab or side compartments of Schneider owned or leased equipment or on property, even if the driver is in possession of a valid permit.

 

Do my fists of steel count as an illegal weapon under schneider policy?

 

My claw hammer is a tool , Officer. Used to thump tires and other things that need thumped.