What Legal Weapons of Choice is allowed for our OTR drivers?

Ok, lets put this one to rest.
Firearm laws are clear as mud.

1. Can you carry a firearm in a commercial vehicle? Yes, depending on the state. If you live in the state of FL, for example you do not need a FOI card (firearm owners identification) but the 3 step rule applies UNLESS your have a concealed permit.
Now if that same driver drives to IL even with a permit he/she will be charged with felony CCW the second he/she crosses state lines because of no IL FOI card.

2. There is no such thing as a federal weapons permit for general citizens (federal employees is a differant story FBI etc.) Therefore it is a state by state basis. Having a concealed permit in one state does not allow you to carry in another unless it is honored by that state.

Bottom line...
If you are going to carry, check the law for EACH state that you will be entering. Just like helmet laws, it is a state by state basis, FL no helmet required (with proper ins.) and IL, no helmet required, driving FL to IL, what happens if you don't have your lid on in say, TN? YOU GET BUSTED, You have to be legal in every state you enter.

 

You forgot one other point.

Company policy.

 

I carry my firearm thru Illinois all the time but HOWEVER i have to unload it store the ammo seperate from the firearm in area's not easily accessable from the drivers seat..when out of Illinois I unstore and reload...Its the travel through law that allows me to do this...also living in the South East I have to do this for South Carolina to..Dont know whats up with them but I dont believe the reciprocate with any other states.

 

FYI...Illinois does not have a "travel through law" (its called Peaceable Journey Law)...You get caught with it you will go to jail in Illinois.

South Carolina has always been a little weird on this (with some states permits), but I can carry there with my TN permit.

 

I always have a ball peen hammer on the floor next to my seat!
I've never needed it 'cause my fists work just fine...

But I'm a big guy and have not ever had a problem in all the years I've been out here...Wife carries mace and a .380 (She's a good shot too!)

 

I'm pretty handy with my fists and feet too...but I'm no match for a thug with a 9mm. At least my odds are VERY, VERY slim...I know how to disarm somebody holding a gun on me, but knowing how and doing it without taking a bullet are 2 very different things. Thats only something you try when you have no other choice because you're about to get shot anyway.

 

I try not to put myself in a situation to be a target of oppertunity...If I am ever faced with the situation I know how to react quickly and efficeintly to neuteralize the situation so the guy with the gun better not be too close to me.

 

Sorry Landshark, I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, and IL does not have a "safe passage law". A cop might be nice and let you go if you have it stored the way you do but even with a FOI card the gun has to be seperate from the ammo, and not accessable from the drivers seat and the ammo in the TRUNK (awfull place to store it). You have been very lucky for many years but as many people know, it only takes once.

Side note, I forgot to add... If it's against company policy, you can't have a gun in the truck, as I was corrected above

Keep the shiney side up!

 

SC is fairly gun friendly, but don't have reciprocity with many states, i don't know why, but the are strange that way. For the rig i keep a crowbar in the door pocket and a 3LBS sledge beside the seat, ant needed them, but i would rather have and not need than need and not have. For all that do have a CCW and want to carry in there truck here is a good site for reciprocity maps and other stuff
http://www.handgunlaw.us/

 

Okay so I can't have a gun........what about a cannon? Jezzzzzzzzzz asking!