New Article Now On TruckingTruth: Truckers And Guns

I understand the safety purposes of keeping the gun locked away, ammo separate etc. But it makes it rather useless for when you actually need it. If someone with ill intentions smashes the window while you're asleep in the bunk are you really going to have time before they attack you to gather it up or would you take them hands on or with another object next to you.

"Moose" let's just focus on getting started in this career before you try to fix what you perceive to be problems.

Well, while parked at a truck stop, the gun would be out and loaded as I sleep.

You're loosing your touch Todd you used to be able to keep it interesting. At least you're not denying your true identity this time around.

I understand the safety purposes of keeping the gun locked away, ammo separate etc. But it makes it rather useless for when you actually need it. If someone with ill intentions smashes the window while you're asleep in the bunk are you really going to have time before they attack you to gather it up or would you take them hands on or with another object next to you.

"Moose" let's just focus on getting started in this career before you try to fix what you perceive to be problems.

Well, while parked at a truck stop, the gun would be out and loaded as I sleep.

I understand the safety purposes of keeping the gun locked away, ammo separate etc. But it makes it rather useless for when you actually need it. If someone with ill intentions smashes the window while you're asleep in the bunk are you really going to have time before they attack you to gather it up or would you take them hands on or with another object next to you.

"Moose" let's just focus on getting started in this career before you try to fix what you perceive to be problems.

Well, while parked at a truck stop, the gun would be out and loaded as I sleep.

Ain't no truck stop in the basement, Todd.

I suppose now we will debate as to preferred caliber, metal finish and brand of firearm, Todd?

Who in Creation is "Todd"? Was this "Todd" character somebody you have known to be pro-American? Meaning pro-2nd A. Todd comes from a Celtic word meaning male fox. Anyway, whomever you think I am, we all can politely disagree if we all don't agree. I'm not going to twist anybody's arm here to agree with me. I will now lay off this Gun thread for good. I live in an army barracks, not a basement. Good day.

Who in Creation is "Todd"?

Your signature denial Todd.

These issues with company policies, state laws etc really are a pain... When I started in the trucking industry, I was mostly remaining within the borders of the state and carried my gun as the company did not forbid it, but I had to give it up when I started doing longer trips, as I didn't really have the time and willpower to read through every single state's gun laws. Sure, I'd rather carry in some places, but I'd rather not carry and have this job, than carry without this job.

Does anyone know of a single instance where a trucker saved himself from harm because he had a gun on him? I've been in the industry for 27 years and I don't know of a single story. We've had tons of people say they'd love to have a gun on them and we've had over 16 million visits to this website over the past 13 years but I've never heard a single story where having a gun made a difference. I'm sure it has happened at some point, but so do lightning strikes and meteor impacts but no one seems to be concerned about those.

In 15 years of driving, I never had a problem. I was never robbed or harrassed, nor have I felt like I was in a truly dangerous situation. I've been through every dangerous area you can imagine over the years - East L.A., South Chicago, MOST of downtown Atlanta - but never a single incident or real concern.

I have no issue with people wanting to carry a gun. I don't care either way. I just hate to see people stressing over something that is so unlikely to ever be an issue. Naturally, you might say, "It only takes once" and to that I say, "Well that applies to lightning strikes and rattlesnake bites and meteor impacts, too, so why aren't you obsessing about those?" Do you lock yourself in the basement during thunderstorms? Do you carry a snake bite kit? Are you tracking near-Earth meteors and potential impact zones?

I've always carried.

It has come out one time when a bad guy was trying to get in the door and side box in the middle of the night. I startled him when I rolled down the window, then worked the slide on it. I told him I had nothing on the truck worth a bullet.

It could have been handled just as easily with a barking dog, a hammer, or a fire extinguisher discharge in his face, too.

Well, I did never need one when I was in my truck, but I avoided serious issues because I was carrying a couple times, when I was beginning to work and still lived in a bad neighborhood. I haven't had to pull out my gun since moving away from that place, but I still am really glad I was carrying at some moments in my life.