Laws About Tasers

I have a question regarding the possession of tasers on CMVs. Are they legal to carry?

Interesting question. Most folks jump straight to guns. Glad someone is thinking outside the box🤔🤔. In my former life I was a firearms, taser, and chemical weapon trainer within law enforcement. I did retire that life a few years ago but the rules haven't changed much that I am aware of. Your specific question the answer can also apply to OC spray. There are currently no type of permit requirements for either. My wife has both available to her in fact. Not sure what I was thinking when I supplied them, but it does make me watch my behavior more closely😉😉. Where you will be walking a line is with company policies, and customers policies. Policies I have seen come in 3 forms. They may state "firearm" , "weapons", or "dangerous weapons". Tasers and OC are considered legally to be a less than lethal weapon. Interruption is the key to the policy. It all depends on who is doing it. We have many items in trucks that could be construed to be a weapon that we use everyday. As with many things in life, just because it's legal doesn't mean it's appropriate.

Tasers & Stun Guns - fall under some weird rules depending on where you are.

Carried on your person - they are almost always considered a concealed weapon, in the same manner as a firearm would (as opposed to most "pocket knives" for example).

Similarly - some states CWP's are also a little weird. My Florida CWP is concealed weapon or firearm - which pretty much covers everything that is legal to possess. Other states CWP's cover firearms ONLY.

Because tasers actually shoot a projectile (as opposed to stun guns, which are "close contact" type devices), in many states they are regulated the same way as firearms - even though they are "less than lethal".

Similarly - in many states where you typically wouldn't be able to possess a firearm - similar laws apply to Tasers/Stunners. In NY - possession is a Class A Misdemeanor.

As far as trucking goes - most company "anti-weapons policies" are probably going to preclude carrying a Taser (shoots darts) or Stunner (close contact) - because they are "weapons" under the law - even though they are "less than lethal".

"Police Quality" Tasers - are also, as expensive as a real gun - and unlike a gun - if you don't score an "effective hit", getting a new cartridge in for a second shot takes a bit of time - even for folks that train with them (as I'm sure PJ can attest as a trainer).

The other piece of the puzzle (aside from violating COMPANY POLICY when it comes to "weapons") is getting jammed up in a state where your Taser/Stunner may be ILLEGAL (like pretty much any BLUE STATE). You risk ARREST and jail time (as well as getting fired) for having one.

As far as "out of the box" goes - a good "police grade" OC spray (and I'm not talking the keychain sized breath spray size) - is pretty damn effective, if you know how to use it. State laws vary on possession - but if you're under 2.5 oz - you're probably good. It's NOT FUN to get any on you - but fun as hell to spray someone else (and you get in a lot less trouble than shooting them).

As with any weapons policy - best to ASK THE COMPANY what is allowed and not. Chances are NOTHING IS ALLOWED - this limits the company's liability if you "go off" on someone - at least THEY TOLD YOU it wasn't allowed.

What you are willing to risk - as far as states you travel in where it might not be legal - versus getting caught by the company and getting fired/blacklisted - versus being unable to defend yourself -- is totally up to the individual.

TT policy is to recommend you adhere to COMPANY POLICY.

Rick

Not sure exactly where I saw it, but someone recommended just carrying a can or two of long range wasp spray. Comes out in an expanding foam spray that won't end up in your face in most wind conditions. It won't force you out of the truck like OC or OC/CS combo sprays will. It won't be noticed as a weapon as your simple reasoning is 'I carry it to keep the wasps from building nets that interfere with me inspecting the truck' or to keep them from building nests under the fairings. Yes, it may blind someone, but if you actually reach the point to where you'd have to use it to defend yourself, that's the least of your worries. It's cheap, attainable, and replaceable at any Walmart.

Thank you all for your input. My sister gave me a flashlight that is also a stun gun for Christmas. (I changed the terminology due to he wonderful explanations given.) I guess she wanted to make sure that I have something "just in case...". I guess that would make it a concealed weapon. Hmmmmm, I guess I will wait until I get to GA to clarify with my new company as to their policies. Oh, by the way, I'm starting with Millis Transfer on the 16th!!! So very excited!!!!!!!!

Giggles- Taser International has a very informative web site.

How about this...put a six pack in a pillow case ...of soda. Highly effective for swinging and beating someone.

Heck....you can jam a key in someone's neck...carry a hammer or heavy duty flashlight.... You think if I threw a hammer threw a window of a truck instead of getting close to the perp that ppl won't come out running?

The fire extinguisher works too. I've come up with all sorts of weapons...even squirting tooth paste in someone's eyes or nose.

Out here it comes to common sense though, not weapons on my opinion.

Thanks Pj, I'll check it out. Rainy, I agree with you about the weapons thing, I was just asking due to my gift from my sister. I am sorta afraid that it could be taken away from me and the tables would be turned. I don't relish the idea of lying on the ground drooling!!!!

even squirting tooth paste in someone's eyes or nose.

That sounds like something out of a Stella Etorre (sp?) Novel!!!

Do collapsible batons fall under these categories anywhere?