Open Carry Firearm

So I'm at a Flying J outside of Columbus and im walking to the store to get some water. I see a guy get out of his truck with his laundry and I notice a firearm on his right hip and two clips on his left hip. He is with one of our mega carriers btw. I asked him how he gets away with it and he says that DOT has no regulations prohibiting it and that the carrier has nothing specific in writing prohibiting it. I believe all of our mega carriers prohibit firearms but I was surprised that he doesn't even attempt to conceal it, just open carried out in the open at a chain truckstop. I know people do carry firearms in their trucks and hope they never get searched but this guy surprised me by openly carrying with no attempt to conceal it. He says he parks in some hairy places but this flying j is not scary by any means. Any thoughts on this?

I dont know what company he works for but the company I work for Schneider has it in writing. Like most other companies. And a lot of shippers and receivers have signs about no weapons allowed.

As long as his company is ok with it, and he doesnt violate any state or local laws I don't see a problem. That's his right.

I would just keep in mind some states require licenses even for open carry.

“Five states (California, Florida, Illinois, New York, and South Carolina), as well as the District of Columbia, generally prohibit people from openly carrying handguns in public places. Thirty-one states allow the open carrying of a handgun without any license or permit, although in some cases the gun must be unloaded.”

I am all for carrying. I live in NH where you can carry concealed without a permit. Just have to always remember where you are and there laws.

Pretty unnecessary at a truck stop.

Also unnecessary at a church, mall, or school. Or so one would think. Yet here we are.

Ohio is an open carry state.

Can't speak to what "mega carrier" he is with, but 99% of them prohibit weapon possession (as do most shippers/receivers). Another alternative is that he OWNS his truck and is leased on. But I believe the rules would apply equally even to lease/OO operators.

I open carried in NC while I was up on vacation last year. Very weird, considering I've been carrying concealed daily almost 30 years. While it may serve as a "visual deterrent", you give up any "tactical advantage" you might have by potential opponents being unaware you are armed and able to defend yourself.

Most states that are open carry also have concealed carry and have reciprocity with other states, with few exceptions. One of those examples would be Oregon, which is open carry (except for Portland metro area) but has little reciprocity with other states.

At any rate. It is STILL RISKY to keep a weapon onboard, because nothing precludes a carrier from sending you to a state with draconian firearms laws where you will be TOTALLY ILLEGAL having a weapon onboard.

Rick

I also feel we should be able to carry. For many of us, myself included, our truck is our home and we should be able to protect ourselves in our home. My homestate allows open carry without a permit. I would however expect a trucker to be more discreet about it. If allowed to carry I would not use it to protect the truck or load, only life.

Yes Packrat, broad daylight at a Flying J is probably the last place he needs it, maybe more of a statement to carry here?

Pretty unnecessary at a truck stop.

Considering the reported number of crimes committed against truckers - I'm not sure this statement is 100% valid. There's still a large movement nationally, for congress to create national carry for truckers. Even it it does, it's unlikely that any universal reciprocity will not trump company regs.

Rick

Pretty unnecessary at a truck stop.

Considering the reported number of crimes committed against truckers - I'm not sure this statement is 100% valid. There's still a large movement nationally, for congress to create national carry for truckers. Even it it does, it's unlikely that any universal reciprocity will not trump company regs.

Rick

Well, Rick, I’ve been to more than a few truck stops in every state. Haven’t been to one yet where I felt a need to bring my gun with me. Usually I can just look at trouble and it heads the other way.