Truck Drivers...got a gun question for you

[Cocked & Locked]

Any of you guys drive a tractor-trailer rig across state lines?

If so, are there any Federal/State regulations against a passenger in the cab (with a concealed carry permit honored by those states being traveled thru) carrying a concealed handgun?

I'm riding with a guy from NC to Alabama next week and just curious. I hear some folks say there is a Federal regulation against doing so but I can't find it in print of course.

Thanks

 

[Spotteddog]

C&L,
It's a HUGELY complicated bugaboo dependent on whether tractor has a sleeper, team (relief) driver, distance from domicile, type of freight being hauled (haz-mat, etc.) Also do not forget the shipper as well as the carrier have to have signed off on a non-employee passenger. In short, your in the cross hairs of fed's, state, and local. Not to mention shippers/carriers. And I'm willing to bet that there's no Dewey decimal sub section heading in your DOT hand book about it either!

 

[truckemup97]

No federal law says anything about firearms in a commercial vehicle. The rumor has been out there so long, everyone thinks it's true.

As far as riding with a friend, you need to have a paper copy of a letter from the company that OPERATES the tractor (maybe not the owner, check the DOT number. Whoever has the DOT number on the side writes the letter) specifically naming you as an authorized passenger. Number of passengers allowed equals number of seatbelts. Most trucks have two, so if it's a team operation, you would be one person too many.

And that's just to be in the truck. You seem to have the states and reciprocity figured out. The only thing that would keep you from carrying in the truck after that would be company policies. If the owner OR operator of the truck has a company policy against firearms in the cab, it's out. Sorry.

However, you could always unload it, secure it, and put it in the side box where it is not accessible from the driving compartment. Then when you get where you are going, load it and tuck it in your waistband.

 

[Spotteddog]

I beg to disagree on freight not having an impact on the issue. Even when your shipment for the feds is LTL.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I beg to disagree on freight not having an impact on the issue.

In this case, its going to be 24,200 harmless pounds of oak flooring for a basketball court.

 

[ZeppelinM16]

Simple... Just don't get caught with it

 

[truckermike]

Under Federal Motor Carrier Regulations there is no law that prevents a legally owned firearm in the truck. If your friend is an Owner Operator you just have to comply with the state laws your traveling through. The shipper and consignee may have a big problem with firearms on their property. I know a trucker(wont mention any names

) who is always armed except for when he goes into Canada-big no no. If the truck is company owned then its a problem.
Dress neat,shave and act right going through scale houses and youll be alright.

 

[truckemup97]

Originally posted by ZeppelinM16:
Simple... Just don't get caught with it

Not easily done. About half the time I'm "pulled over" (usually for a bogus reason), I'm asked if the officer can search my truck. I own my truck, so I have the right to say no. However, if the truck is company owned, the company is the one to say yes or no to a search. Most will allow it.

 

[redsfan2]

truckemup pretty much hit it.

I've had DOT officers in Ohio .. Kentucky & Tenn. ask me if I had a gun / weapon. When I repeated the general wisdom that it would be illegal, I was told .. not as long as I had a valid permit of the state I was in .. or that permits from my state were recognized. NOTE .. a few states require that you live in the state that they have reciprocity with ... it can't be an out of state permit.

I also told them I was hauling hazmat, and they said it didn't matter.

Topic ( on here ) recently about a trucker that shot a fella who was breaking into his truck. He was in Ky at the time and didn't have a permit. ... No charges filed.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Originally posted by truckermike:
Under Federal Motor Carrier Regulations there is no law that prevents a legally owned firearm in the truck. If your friend is an Owner Operator you just have to comply with the state laws your traveling through. The shipper and consignee may have a big problem with firearms on their property. I know a trucker(wont mention any names

) who is always armed except for when he goes into Canada-big no no. If the truck is company owned then its a problem.
Dress neat,shave and act right going through scale houses and youll be alright.

THATS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO ANYWAY. DON

 

[Spotteddog]

Anybody know which states permit is good on a federal reservation or installation?

 

[Bill Stokes]

Unfortunately, NONE. On a Federal Installation or Reservation your concealed pistol permit means NOTHING! You face a FELONY charge if caught carring on the above!

Bill

 

[truckemup97]

Originally posted by Spotteddog:
Anybody know which states permit is good on a federal reservation or installation?

On military installations, I am required to unload and surrender my firearm. It is returned to me when I leave. Some also make me surrender knives of various lengths, cameras, matches, lighters, gas can for the generator, cell phones, and one civilian guard took my hatchet. I've always received everything back in the condition I left it.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Thanks for the info...I think I understand!

So, as long as the driver is the owner/operator, and there is a seat belt for me I should be OK as long as I do a few other things.

I'll need written authorization/approval from both the shipper and carrier to just be a passenger.

I'll need to make certain the driver/owner and company have no policy against firearms.

I'll need to have a concealed carry permit honored by all states we pass thru and I need to make certain there are no state or local laws against firearms in the truck.

I'll need to dress neat, shave and act right, and also not go on any Federal owned installations or reservations including military bases.

I'll also need to pass searches by DOT agents at weigh stations and during possible random stops.

Most importantly I need to not get caught with it and be certain to stay out of Canada and Mexico.

I think I've got it!

 

[Spotteddog]

See,
Wasn't that easy?
I'm sure government sponsored single payer health care, will be just as simple once begun.

 

[Nframe]

C&L,

Just don't go showing off that picture of you with that hog you killed. That will cause all kinds of troubles!

Travel safe!

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Good idea Chris...thanks for the tip!

 

[Bandersnatch]

It actually is pretty easy. the laws are the same for commercial vehicles as they are for personal vehicles.

Where things get the preception of being tricky is following the policy of the owner of the vehicle but then again, that's the same as with a personal vehicle.

If a shipper or a consignee doesn't allow firearms on the premises, that's that. of course, storing them in the side box does seem equivelent to storing them in a trunk and I would at that point keep my mouth shut.

For those who dont know, the Commercial motor carrier division of the State or local authorities have the ability to lawfully stop a commercial vehicle for no reason other than a "safety check" this can be anything from asking to see the log book, check the brake system or a full on, check of the vehicle including the cargo.

According to the law, it's completely random. I have my own opinions on the randomness fo these "safety checks" but it's based solely on my experiences and not anything concrete or scientific.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Unless I have a mind change, I'm simply going to put my 642 in my front pocket and not mention it.

business as usual

 

[Spotteddog]

My guess is, that's exactly what happens 9 out of 10 times anyway?