Pistol Carry In Truck?

Company policy and customer policy aside, here's the big thing.

Weigh stations are manned by officials from the individual states, but they are operated under the jurisdiction of the federal Department of Transportation. This makes them federal property, and unless you have a very specific permit to do so, it is a federal crime to possess a concealed firearm on federal property; and yes, just having it stashed under the bunk is considered concealment.

So, let's just say you get pulled in for a level 1 inspection, and the DOT officer decides to pull out the white gloves and flashlight. He starts poking through the inside of your truck, and he finds your gun. Oops. You are now under arrest on a charge of illegally transporting a firearm across state lines, as well as a federal charge of possessing a concealed firearm on government property, both of which are felonies. Your gun is now Exhibit A. You are out of a job, and will probably never drive a truck again...once you get out of prison, that is. You will also never be allowed to legally own another firearm or vote for the rest of your life.

So you tell me, is it worth it?

Fatsquatch; I can't speak to any state but Florida, but Florida weigh stations are state property operated by state officials. They are not operated under any federal jurisdiction. They are implementing federal rules under state authority. They are in no way considered federal property. Your main point is, however, valid.

Company policy and customer policy aside, here's the big thing.

Weigh stations are manned by officials from the individual states, but they are operated under the jurisdiction of the federal Department of Transportation. This makes them federal property, and unless you have a very specific permit to do so, it is a federal crime to possess a concealed firearm on federal property; and yes, just having it stashed under the bunk is considered concealment.

So, let's just say you get pulled in for a level 1 inspection, and the DOT officer decides to pull out the white gloves and flashlight. He starts poking through the inside of your truck, and he finds your gun. Oops. You are now under arrest on a charge of illegally transporting a firearm across state lines, as well as a federal charge of possessing a concealed firearm on government property, both of which are felonies. Your gun is now Exhibit A. You are out of a job, and will probably never drive a truck again...once you get out of prison, that is. You will also never be allowed to legally own another firearm or vote for the rest of your life.

So you tell me, is it worth it?

Actually - most of this is factually incorrect. As it would be, if in fact - you had your companies permission to actually keep a firearm in your vehicle.

Having a firearm - "securely encased" (which could be as simple as a zipper bag or snap holster), and in your sleeper - where it is not a violation of STATE LAW TO DO SO (ie: NJ, etc., where you cannot keep one in a vehicle regardless), would be perfectly legal.

WALKING INTO A WEIGH STATION OFFICE WITH A CONCEALED WEAPON ON YOUR PERSON WOULD NOT BE. And I have not been able to find ONE STATUTE in CFR, that declares weight stations to be "federal property" (so please correct me if I'm wrong). But walking into a Police Station (which a weight station office could be considered) with a weapon (even with a CWP) is considered a "sterile area" under most states locations where carry is prohibited - even with a CWP.

You cannot - for example - carry a firearm into a POST OFFICE - where it is clearly posted that it is ILLEGAL TO DO SO.

You CAN TRANSPORT A FIREARM ACROSS STATE LINES - it is PERFECTLY LEGAL. My CWP is reciprocal everywhere except the NE (including MD), the West (CA, OR, WA.) and I can and have traveled WITH A CONCEALED FIREARM IN A HOLSTER ON MY PERSON, through a majority of the 38 states that I AM LEGAL TO CARRY IN.

In all other cases - the particular states laws on weapons in vehicles apply.

PLEASE DO NOT PASS ALONG MISINFORMATION.

And if I were to happen to be working for a company, where I DID HAVE PERMISSION to have a firearm in my possession - and was pulled in for an L-I inspection - the FIRST THING I WOULD DO IS DECLARE THE WEAPON - out of RESPECT FOR THE OFFICER.

The fact of the matter is - this topic comes up once a month (at least). Pretty much EVERY COMPANY A NEW DRIVER IS GOING TO BE EMPLOYED WITH PROHIBITS WEAPONS ON COMPANY PROPERTY - and their truck IS COMPANY PROPERTY.

This is not about your rights or anything else. You are accepting employment with a company, and accepting their rules are part of that employment.

FYI - I am a 20+ year CCW Holder, NRA Lifetime Member, NRA Instructor and have held various FFL's at one time or another, as well as a gunsmith (though I turned my FFL-I in, didn't feel like maintaining the compliance overhead).

So - LEAVE THE GUN AT HOME - or risk your JOB. Leave the gun at home - or RISK ARREST IN STATES YOU ARE NOT LEGAL TO HAVE IT IN.

Rick

Brett - we need to write a WIKI article for the forum on firearms laws and REAL FACTS.

Company policy and customer policy aside, here's the big thing.

Weigh stations are manned by officials from the individual states, but they are operated under the jurisdiction of the federal Department of Transportation. This makes them federal property, and unless you have a very specific permit to do so, it is a federal crime to possess a concealed firearm on federal property; and yes, just having it stashed under the bunk is considered concealment.

So, let's just say you get pulled in for a level 1 inspection, and the DOT officer decides to pull out the white gloves and flashlight. He starts poking through the inside of your truck, and he finds your gun. Oops. You are now under arrest on a charge of illegally transporting a firearm across state lines, as well as a federal charge of possessing a concealed firearm on government property, both of which are felonies. Your gun is now Exhibit A. You are out of a job, and will probably never drive a truck again...once you get out of prison, that is. You will also never be allowed to legally own another firearm or vote for the rest of your life.

So you tell me, is it worth it?

Actually - most of this is factually incorrect. As it would be, if in fact - you had your companies permission to actually keep a firearm in your vehicle.

Having a firearm - "securely encased" (which could be as simple as a zipper bag or snap holster), and in your sleeper - where it is not a violation of STATE LAW TO DO SO (ie: NJ, etc., where you cannot keep one in a vehicle regardless), would be perfectly legal.

WALKING INTO A WEIGH STATION OFFICE WITH A CONCEALED WEAPON ON YOUR PERSON WOULD NOT BE. And I have not been able to find ONE STATUTE in CFR, that declares weight stations to be "federal property" (so please correct me if I'm wrong). But walking into a Police Station (which a weight station office could be considered) with a weapon (even with a CWP) is considered a "sterile area" under most states locations where carry is prohibited - even with a CWP.

You cannot - for example - carry a firearm into a POST OFFICE - where it is clearly posted that it is ILLEGAL TO DO SO.

You CAN TRANSPORT A FIREARM ACROSS STATE LINES - it is PERFECTLY LEGAL. My CWP is reciprocal everywhere except the NE (including MD), the West (CA, OR, WA.) and I can and have traveled WITH A CONCEALED FIREARM IN A HOLSTER ON MY PERSON, through a majority of the 38 states that I AM LEGAL TO CARRY IN.

In all other cases - the particular states laws on weapons in vehicles apply.

PLEASE DO NOT PASS ALONG MISINFORMATION.

And if I were to happen to be working for a company, where I DID HAVE PERMISSION to have a firearm in my possession - and was pulled in for an L-I inspection - the FIRST THING I WOULD DO IS DECLARE THE WEAPON - out of RESPECT FOR THE OFFICER.

The fact of the matter is - this topic comes up once a month (at least). Pretty much EVERY COMPANY A NEW DRIVER IS GOING TO BE EMPLOYED WITH PROHIBITS WEAPONS ON COMPANY PROPERTY - and their truck IS COMPANY PROPERTY.

This is not about your rights or anything else. You are accepting employment with a company, and accepting their rules are part of that employment.

FYI - I am a 20+ year CCW Holder, NRA Lifetime Member, NRA Instructor and have held various FFL's at one time or another, as well as a gunsmith (though I turned my FFL-I in, didn't feel like maintaining the compliance overhead).

So - LEAVE THE GUN AT HOME - or risk your JOB. Leave the gun at home - or RISK ARREST IN STATES YOU ARE NOT LEGAL TO HAVE IT IN.

Rick

Brett - we need to write a WIKI article for the forum on firearms laws and REAL FACTS.

Thanks for clearing that up. I knew they weren't federal property but I figured you weren't allowed to have them on state property as well. Either way like I said I have other ways to defend myself if it comes to that where I won't lose my right to own firearms but I would still be more comfortable if I had it with me. I'm not sure if you have done this Rick but I know I have talked to my rep and senator to let them know they should approve a nationwide carry permit if the issue ever comes up. It won't with this administration but hopefully it will with the next.

Company policy and customer policy aside, here's the big thing.

Weigh stations are manned by officials from the individual states, but they are operated under the jurisdiction of the federal Department of Transportation. This makes them federal property, and unless you have a very specific permit to do so, it is a federal crime to possess a concealed firearm on federal property; and yes, just having it stashed under the bunk is considered concealment.

So, let's just say you get pulled in for a level 1 inspection, and the DOT officer decides to pull out the white gloves and flashlight. He starts poking through the inside of your truck, and he finds your gun. Oops. You are now under arrest on a charge of illegally transporting a firearm across state lines, as well as a federal charge of possessing a concealed firearm on government property, both of which are felonies. Your gun is now Exhibit A. You are out of a job, and will probably never drive a truck again...once you get out of prison, that is. You will also never be allowed to legally own another firearm or vote for the rest of your life.

So you tell me, is it worth it?

Actually - most of this is factually incorrect. As it would be, if in fact - you had your companies permission to actually keep a firearm in your vehicle.

Having a firearm - "securely encased" (which could be as simple as a zipper bag or snap holster), and in your sleeper - where it is not a violation of STATE LAW TO DO SO (ie: NJ, etc., where you cannot keep one in a vehicle regardless), would be perfectly legal.

WALKING INTO A WEIGH STATION OFFICE WITH A CONCEALED WEAPON ON YOUR PERSON WOULD NOT BE. And I have not been able to find ONE STATUTE in CFR, that declares weight stations to be "federal property" (so please correct me if I'm wrong). But walking into a Police Station (which a weight station office could be considered) with a weapon (even with a CWP) is considered a "sterile area" under most states locations where carry is prohibited - even with a CWP.

You cannot - for example - carry a firearm into a POST OFFICE - where it is clearly posted that it is ILLEGAL TO DO SO.

You CAN TRANSPORT A FIREARM ACROSS STATE LINES - it is PERFECTLY LEGAL. My CWP is reciprocal everywhere except the NE (including MD), the West (CA, OR, WA.) and I can and have traveled WITH A CONCEALED FIREARM IN A HOLSTER ON MY PERSON, through a majority of the 38 states that I AM LEGAL TO CARRY IN.

In all other cases - the particular states laws on weapons in vehicles apply.

PLEASE DO NOT PASS ALONG MISINFORMATION.

And if I were to happen to be working for a company, where I DID HAVE PERMISSION to have a firearm in my possession - and was pulled in for an L-I inspection - the FIRST THING I WOULD DO IS DECLARE THE WEAPON - out of RESPECT FOR THE OFFICER.

The fact of the matter is - this topic comes up once a month (at least). Pretty much EVERY COMPANY A NEW DRIVER IS GOING TO BE EMPLOYED WITH PROHIBITS WEAPONS ON COMPANY PROPERTY - and their truck IS COMPANY PROPERTY.

This is not about your rights or anything else. You are accepting employment with a company, and accepting their rules are part of that employment.

FYI - I am a 20+ year CCW Holder, NRA Lifetime Member, NRA Instructor and have held various FFL's at one time or another, as well as a gunsmith (though I turned my FFL-I in, didn't feel like maintaining the compliance overhead).

So - LEAVE THE GUN AT HOME - or risk your JOB. Leave the gun at home - or RISK ARREST IN STATES YOU ARE NOT LEGAL TO HAVE IT IN.

Rick

Brett - we need to write a WIKI article for the forum on firearms laws and REAL FACTS.

Okay, I'll be sure to inform the Washington State Patrol Commercial Enforcement Division that they don't know what they're talking about when it comes to laws regarding firearms in commercial vehicles. I'm sure they'll be relieved to hear it.

Seriously, I'm going to take the word of an actual LEO over Dude on the Internet, until and unless I get different information from a higher ranking law enforcement official. I like my guns and my ability to look out a window without bars across it too much to do otherwise.

The question that nobody is asking is...why is it a legal issue to carry firearms in your truck? I mean, in a normal passenger vehicle, if you are licensed, it's not an issue.

Is it because people think truckers are more likely to be unhinged and use it on someone in a dispute with someone else? If a trucker is that unhinged, perhaps they do not need to be driving a truck anyway.

Is it because officers feel their safety is in jeopardy when stopping a truck? If the driver declares the firearm upon being stopped, that could be alleviated. If the trucker is going to shoot the officer...see statement above.

I'm just failing to see the reasoning behind these rules, when it is perfectly legal for motorists to carry in their vehicles.

The rule of no weapons on company property, I understand.

I know that the likelihood of you ever needing one is slim, but it only takes one time when you do need it, but don't have it to be the difference between life and death.

The question that nobody is asking is...why is it a legal issue to carry firearms in your truck? I mean, in a normal passenger vehicle, if you are licensed, it's not an issue.

Is it because people think truckers are more likely to be unhinged and use it on someone in a dispute with someone else? If a trucker is that unhinged, perhaps they do not need to be driving a truck anyway.

Is it because officers feel their safety is in jeopardy when stopping a truck? If the driver declares the firearm upon being stopped, that could be alleviated. If the trucker is going to shoot the officer...see statement above.

I'm just failing to see the reasoning behind these rules, when it is perfectly legal for motorists to carry in their vehicles.

The rule of no weapons on company property, I understand.

I know that the likelihood of you ever needing one is slim, but it only takes one time when you do need it, but don't have it to be the difference between life and death.

It is only allowed in passenger vehicles under certain conditions unless they have a ccw permit that is recognized in that state. For example if I am in PA I am allowed to carry pa to Ohio no problem. Pa to ny or nj and I'll end up in jail because my permit isn't recognized by those states. Since as a truck driver we go into pretty much all the states there really isn't any way to get around that. And the conditions for a person to have a firearm in a vehicle without a permit change from state to state as well.

Is it because people think truckers are more likely to be unhinged and use it on someone in a dispute with someone else?

That's probably most of the truth of it. The public perception of truck drivers as a whole is pretty negative. According to the general public, we're all a bunch of smelly, unwashed, uneducated, illiterate, antisocial slobs who can't "make it in a real job." The DOT and FMCSA don't regard us any higher. We are, in pretty much every way imaginable, thought of as somewhere between convicted murderers and toe fungus on the social/evolutionary ladder. So yeah, I'm sure the idea that we all have the manners of a bunch of wild rabid babboons leads The Powers That Be to assume that we'd all just be looking for an excuse to pump a few rounds into someone.

I see, so it's more of a permitting issue than anything. im going to assume that you cannot get a permit for any other state except the one in which you live? So, it would be impossible for one to get all the permits required to carry across all states?

Just wondering, I'm not knowledgeable about all of the gun laws.

Is it because people think truckers are more likely to be unhinged and use it on someone in a dispute with someone else?

That's probably most of the truth of it. The public perception of truck drivers as a whole is pretty negative. According to the general public, we're all a bunch of smelly, unwashed, uneducated, illiterate, antisocial slobs who can't "make it in a real job." The DOT and FMCSA don't regard us any higher. We are, in pretty much every way imaginable, thought of as somewhere between convicted murderers and toe fungus on the social/evolutionary ladder. So yeah, I'm sure the idea that we all have the manners of a bunch of wild rabid babboons leads The Powers That Be to assume that we'd all just be looking for an excuse to pump a few rounds into someone.

LOL, toe fungus. TOUGH ACTING TINACTIN!

I agree that the trucker lifestyle has been negative in the public eye. However, there are some drivers who exude this type of behavior, and unfortunately, one bad apple spoils the whole barrel.

But then, that is getting off topic, so I'll not go further into that.

Requiring a permit to exercise a Constitutional right means you have already lost the right.