The Second Amendment And Trucking

Okay I am all for the second amendment, and I wish I could take a gun out with me. I was having a conversation with someone about it, and they couldnt understand why I dont anyway. I tryed to explain the best way I knew how, but I really dont understand. The best I could do was say well i might be in a state that allows me to carry one one day, and the next be in one that doesnt the next. I dont wanna risk my cdl when I get it. I have read so many conflicting arguments about whats the law and what isnt. What is ya'll take on this?

O and I also told him its most companys policy. With everything going on with Obama, and so many fighting its hard to get them to understand. Its a fundamental right, but not for us. Becouse I wouldnt stand up he accually quit talking to me. So many are taking a stand and we cant our backs are against the wall.

We have had this debate before so I will not go into it to deeply but I will say in 15 years I have never needed a gun to defend myself while on the road. I do own more than a few but they stay at home.

Just remember everyone has rights. Your rights ends where others right begin. You have a right to carry and bare arms but companies have a right not to allow them in their trucks. Simple as that.

Yap, the bottom line is that there is no way to be legal with a gun in the truck everywhere you go. There are company policies, State laws, Federal laws, and private property laws & policies that all must be taken into consideration. There may be certain circumstances where it's legal to have a gun with you , but there are definitely going to be circumstances where it is not - and that's what gets you. If you can't be legal with it everywhere you go then you're taking a gigantic risk trying to carry one.

And I'm in the same boat as Guyjax - I've never needed a gun in 15 years on the road (and 41 years on the planet for that matter).

We have indeed debated this a number of times over the years and the bottom line is always the same - you can't be legal with it everywhere you go, even if your company doesn't have a policy against it so it's just entirely too risky to try to carry one.

I aint gonna take one, but my safety is the only thing I worry about. I have known female truckers who have had problems out there. I choose not to carry a gun when it happens becouse I will want some kind of protection even if its a tire thumper or something else I carry for my truck. In school i had a lot of guys that had so much respect for me. And there was others that I couldnt get around the corner without being cornered. A few times it would get so bad that my guy friends had to watch out for me. I want to be able to protect myself tho. I have had thoughts about changing my appearence and make myself look like a guy or let them think I like girls. I really dont wanna change who I am tho. I dont care if I dont look and act like what they think a trucker looks like. Yea I like pink and purple and I like to dress nice, and I do my hair and make up. Thats not an inventation to treat me like Anyother way than with respect. I have lost alot of weight and I feel good about myself so I am enjoying little me. I do not not dress, Look or act like a lot lizard, so dont treat me like one. My husband is a trucker, my dad, my best friend well pretty much all my friends are they are good guys and I know like in life a majority of people are good, but there are some that are bad. So if ya'll have any suggestions i would appreciate it.

I am by no means weak, but this is not just a question for me, but for anyone that gets in a bad situation. Expecially when you you have to shut down in a bad area, or city?

Hey Pebbles, I don't think I've had the pleasure of welcoming you to the forum, so let me say we're glad to have you and I sincerely hope you can land a job driving a big beautiful rig very soon! This gun issue comes up all the time when new people join us and a gun is just one of those things that's just best left at home. I'm an avid hunter and used to do a lot of competition skeet shooting, I don't even think I know how many guns I've owned. I say that just to let you know, that I'd carry a gun on my truck if I thought I could, but there are Federal laws against it, and company policies also. I have a concealed carry gun license, but it's only a state law that allows me to carry that gun. When travelling across this great land in a commercial vehicle and quite possibly crossing the border into Canada sometimes it's just not wise to jeopardize your hard earned Commercial Driver's License with that little bit of extra security which 99.9% of the time will absolutely not even be needed.

Having said all that, I must say that I feel a deep understanding of the lady drivers and the difficulties that they may encounter that most of us men don't even think about. I'm quite accustomed to the company of women since I am a husband and a father of three daughters. Yes, I am the only male in this household. The thing about this male dominated industry is that you ladies have to really excel at everything you do to get any respect from other drivers. Now I'm not saying that is proper, but I do think it's a reality for you gals. Hopefully things will gradually change in your favor over time, but unfortunately some things don't change as quickly as we'd like. But when it comes to having to defend yourself, the best strategy for a truck driver, be they male or female, is to be acutely aware of your surroundings, don't let yourself get into an uncomfortable situation if you can at all avoid it. Ladies probably know the kind of things that attract unwanted attentions, and if possible maybe avoid them. Be safe, be alert, and try to find good safe parking areas where you don't have to walk a lengthy distance in the dark to get inside a truck stop. If you think, and plan before you take any unwise action you'll be fine.

One last thing, I can't speak for other male drivers, but I will tell you if ever I witnessed someone giving a lady driver a hard time I'd be the first to step up and intervene, and I wouldn't be surprised if there are some others out there who would do the same for you.

Having been out in the truck by myself, I have to admit that I've never felt threatened to the point I'd wish I'd had "Bertha". Now here at home, I keep Bertha close at hand. But when your out on the road, its all about where you park, appearances, and ATTITUDE. Never park way off in the dark. Never talk on the cb, telling anyone where you are, or what your truck looks like. Never get into another truck, and never invite anyone into yours. When you walk across the parking lot, walk with a purpose, head up, looking at your surroundings. Criminals learn to read people by the way they look and carry themselves. No criminal will mess with a woman he thinks will injure him, If your spoken to, reply in short, and never let anyone get you into an area where you can't get out of, or people can't see you. Its just common sense, really. Its the same rules that you would follow when your in a strange town, or by yourself in any unknown situation. Being a woman does pose different problems when your a trucker. For example...CHUCK the purse. You will either forget it at a fuel desk, a cafe, and its a target for thieves. Get a small single fold wallet. put your bare necessities in it, and keep it in a hind pocket, or your bra (that has its own problems when you need to get to it,lol). You can have a purse, just leave it in the truck. And when your driving, NEVER leave your wallet in your back pocket. It will push on nerves and give you a horrid back ache...trust me. And this goes for guys to, if your back or legs are hurting, get the wallet out of your back pocket. You will learn as you go, when it comes to where to park, so don't fret over it now. But you do need to start carrying yourself like your a mother bear that no one wants to mess with. You don't have to change who you are, or how you dress. You have to change how people "read" you. Clothing is a biggy, so think that one thru. You are how your dressed. If you wear hoochie clothes, expect to be treated accordingly. Jeans and button down shirts, or tee shirts, good shoes, no flip flops. You save those for the shower...lol. Any more questions ??? feel free to ask....someone here will have an answer for ya !!

Thank you guys! o no no no belly shirts for me. Nice clothes lol. I bought me a man wallet at school. I love it. Purse was to much on the backing range in coveralls. They didnt mesh well together. J/k I couldnt keep up with it, and my coveralls wwas to bulky it was agravating.

Don't know about ya'll but there are many truckers who are irresponsible enough to be allowed to carry a gun either with them in the truck or in their house, not only for people' safety but their own safety too.