Concealed Weapons

As a commercial truck driver, am I allowed to carry a concealed weapons or open carry for protection depending on the state? If not, what are my choices for self-defense?

You can have a C/C if you want, but every company has a No Weapons policy, as in lose-your-job type policy. Many warehouses have signs:

You can search on "concealed weapons" above to find lots of discussion. There also plenty of posts on self protection.

Don't act like a victim and you will be just fine. If you are aware of your surroundings and know what is going on around you, you have a better chance of winning the lottery or getting hit by lightning. There are millions of truckers on the road and you hear about one maybe two a year that are killed by some random criminal. This should be the least of your worries.

You have a lot of weapons at your disposal. Anything that you can pick up can become a weapon.

If you are that insecure, walk with a cane. Instant weapon.

Don't act like a victim and you will be just fine. If you are aware of your surroundings and know what is going on around you, you have a better chance of winning the lottery or getting hit by lightning. There are millions of truckers on the road and you hear about one maybe two a year that are killed by some random criminal. This should be the least of your worries.

You have a lot of weapons at your disposal. Anything that you can pick up can become a weapon.

If you are that insecure, walk with a cane. Instant weapon.

It's not that I feel insecure, I just feel more comfortable as I have been carrying one for years.

Don't act like a victim and you will be just fine. If you are aware of your surroundings and know what is going on around you, you have a better chance of winning the lottery or getting hit by lightning. There are millions of truckers on the road and you hear about one maybe two a year that are killed by some random criminal. This should be the least of your worries.

You have a lot of weapons at your disposal. Anything that you can pick up can become a weapon.

If you are that insecure, walk with a cane. Instant weapon.

It's not that I feel insecure, I just feel more comfortable as I have been carrying one for years.

Been carrying and teaching for decades. ALL COMPANIES have a "no weapons" policy. It is a FIRING OFFENSE.

I hear what you're saying, being a carrier, instructor, gunsmith/armorer.

Wanna drive? Gotta leave the gat at home, or risk your career. Getting caught (and fired) will put a black mark on your record you will never overcome.

This is without getting into the various laws from state to state (especially ones where you have no reciprocity), and states where having a firearm in a rig (or car for that matter) will put you in handcuffs.

And from a "political" standpoint, don't expect the climate for firearms to get much better in the future.

Rick

Don't act like a victim and you will be just fine. If you are aware of your surroundings and know what is going on around you, you have a better chance of winning the lottery or getting hit by lightning. There are millions of truckers on the road and you hear about one maybe two a year that are killed by some random criminal. This should be the least of your worries.

You have a lot of weapons at your disposal. Anything that you can pick up can become a weapon.

If you are that insecure, walk with a cane. Instant weapon.

It's not that I feel insecure, I just feel more comfortable as I have been carrying one for years.

Been carrying and teaching for decades. ALL COMPANIES have a "no weapons" policy. It is a FIRING OFFENSE.

I hear what you're saying, being a carrier, instructor, gunsmith/armorer.

Wanna drive? Gotta leave the gat at home, or risk your career. Getting caught (and fired) will put a black mark on your record you will never overcome.

This is without getting into the various laws from state to state (especially ones where you have no reciprocity), and states where having a firearm in a rig (or car for that matter) will put you in handcuffs.

And from a "political" standpoint, don't expect the climate for firearms to get much better in the future.

Rick

What are companies doing to ensure that their drivers are safe? Do they provide any protection against criminals or a really you just a sitting duck?

I think most company trucks have locks on their doors, at least that's what i'm hoping. Behind those doors you can choose a tool of the trade to keep you company; a tire iron, crowbar or big wrench should do the trick. If you're hell-bent on wandering outside in a dark parking area in a bad part of town, carry one of those long heavy-duty flashlights like you're an FBI agent ready to find clues and crack skulls.

Like everyone says, you've got more chance of being fired than being assailed in a life or death situation, but if you'd "rather be judged by twelve than carried by six", that's ultimately a decision you've got to make for yourself.

What are companies doing to ensure that their drivers are safe? Do they provide any protection against criminals or a really you just a sitting duck?

My rule of thumb is to never park alone. As long as there are other trucks around, my chances of being assaulted/robbed are much lower. I lock my doors and keep a crowbar in my sleeper. It's no match for a gun, but it's the best I can do.

Yeah, not being allowed carry is one of the few things I really don't like about trucking. I don't think it's right, but not much I can do about it.

For the most part it is pretty safe out here. The worse truck stops I been to were in the southeast in cities. Just use proper street smarts and overall if it doesn't feel safe it probably isnt. I been solo for almost 2 months and the craziest thing I have seen was a driver riding a skateboard haha.

I'm a twenty four year old woman and I've felt unsafe exactly one time out here. Just FYI. I personally don't see the need to carry any sort of weapon. If you're truly concerned carry a tire thumper.

My fiancé owns dozens of firearms and he doesn't see the need to carry a gun out here either; they stay at home locked up.