Armed? Concealed Carry

I am not a trucker yet and will be attending a CDL school in the next few weeks. I have a couple questions I would like answered. First, if you have a flat tire do you change it yourself? Or does the company usually send out a repair vehicle or is there something like Triple A? Second question and a little far fetched. I have a license to carry a concealed weapon. What is the normal situation with this? Do companies allow this? Is it something to consider?

You do not ever change your own tire. If it goes flat you contact your OTRM (over the road maintenance) department and they'll get you help. This can be done by sending a macro with the description of your problem, report any other damage such as rim damage, and giving them a detailed explanation on your location as well as providing a cell phone number. They will keep in touch with you and send someone to change it for you.

That firearm license is no good in trucking. License or not, you are not allowed to bring a firearm on your truck. Weigh stations do not allow firearms on site and you're in huge trouble if you're caught. Shippers and receivers also do not allow firearms on site. Company policy forbids you from carrying any firearm. So in this situation your license is useless. Sorry to bear the bad news.

But honestly, if you use common sense you'll never need a weapon.

Aside from the whole XYZ place doesn't permit weapons on their property thing, there's one more HUGE reason your CCL doesn't amount to a hill of beans. There's no such animal as a CCL that's valid and reciprocal across all 48 contiguous states. And if you get caught with a concealed weapon in a state other than the one that issued your CCL, you can kiss your weapon goodbye, because it's going to be confiscated. Period. You're also likely to receive a monster fine and/or find yourself on the receiving end of a shiny new pair of bracelets. And also in line for unemployment.

So, yeah. Guns in the truck=a BIG no.

I am just now getting into trucking, and my safety is one of my major concerns. I have done a considerable amount of research on carrying a weapon. While there are ways to increase the number of states you are legal to carry in, and legal ways to transport your weapon through states that don't recognize your permits, there is no getting around company policies that forbid guns.

My next thought was to carry a stun gun or tazer. But there are states that have made these illegal as well. So at this point I'm simply looking into products or techniques to secure my cab while sleeping and relying on common sence and gut feeling to help keep me out of dangerous situations. As I get farther into trucking I may consider having one of my dogs with me for both companionship and protection.

I'm glad this topic was brought up! I'm going to starting school soon and my family brought this topic up with me. Personally I'm not really concerned with personal safety. I've always handled myself well. BUT as my family said there is always a first time for everything. My choice of "weapon" is going to be a mag light and tire thumper. They weren't to pleased with this answer but because of all the different laws I personally think those 2 are the best choice for me

Concealed weapon, bad idea! Thats just my opinion, I've been to hundreds of truck stops, rest stops and I've always felt safe. When it comes down to it, other drivers will always be there to help you when needed.