Would YOU carry?

[2up1down]

There are no federal restrictions prohibiting firearms in Commercial Vehicles.
Most major carriers prohibit firearms on their "yards" and in their vehicles.

Tom Gresham has spoke to this topic on GUNTALKTV basically inferring
that following a foolish company policy that may get you killed, is in it's
self a foolish thing to do.

My situation mandates that I am responsible for a quarter of a million dollar "Rig"
and up to a million dollar load, traveling the vast Highways to some places you
would not want to be.

Although my profession requires HAZMAT and TWIC certifications which
upon approval, you actually receive a letter stating
"YOU are not a threat to our Nation's security."

A prior service Military Police Officer, Volunteer Firefighter
with Federal clearances is not trusted to carry his firearm,
when he is clearly placed in harms way by
the work assignments he must execute.

Most major carriers for liability reasons I imagine,
restrict your right to protect yourself and their property
which is foolish under our standards, but I pride myself
in not only following company policy and the standards
of my profession, but ALWAYS doing what is right,
when no one is watching.

Be kind... Be patient... But what am I facing?

Should I expect that my insurance policies will provide
for my family? Or should I gamble on a jury understanding
that a MAN has a right in this Country to defend himself,
even if a Company has a policy denying that truth?

I don't post often, but have cherished all of the opinions
that this group of good Citizens offers for over a year.

[Keith B]

I come from a long family line of over-the-road truck drivers. These guys were multi-million mile accident free drivers for various large name companies. Even back in the 50's, 60's and 70's (three of the four retired in the 70's) they were known to have a revolver in their trucks. They didn't talk or brag about it, but it was in there. In the later years especially once they had sleepers in the trucks, they had a means of protection with them.

So, I would say if your live in your truck, it is your home. Follow the state laws on possession (CHL or not) and do what you feel is right in regards to your safety while evaluating company policy and the consequences you might encounter if they find out.

[carlson1]

I would with out a doubt carry.

[Ameer]

If it's legal, I would carry concealed and keep my mouth shut. Read viewtopic.php?f=7&t=42941" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for a cautionary story.

[BobCat]

I would carry, but it would be - as it is now, for me - to protect myself and my family. In your position I would not feel an obligation to defend the company's truck or load - especially since they forbid you to be armed to do so. They have insurance and they have made the choice to count on it. Your responsibility is to get home safe to your family, not to protect your employer's property. The monetary worth of rig and cargo may make you a target for thieves or highjackers - you chose to assume that risk - but safeguarding from thieves it is not your job. Safeguarding your life is.

Hopefully I haven't offended you. If so, please accept my apologies.

Regards,
Andrew

[TexasGal]

I would carry, but it would be - as it is now, for me - to protect myself and my family. In your position I would not feel an obligation to defend the company's truck or load - especially since they forbid you to be armed to do so. They have insurance and they have made the choice to count on it. Your responsibility is to get home safe to your family, not to protect your employer's property. The monetary worth of rig and cargo may make you a target for thieves or highjackers - you chose to assume that risk - but safeguarding from thieves it is not your job. Safeguarding your life is.

Hopefully I haven't offended you. If so, please accept my apologies.

Regards,
Andrew

You are an honorable man. I know you would want to protect the truck/cargo in your care, but insurance will cover them. Your firearm is to cover you. If you can legally carry, I would do so and trust no one with the knowledge. Use only methods of concealment that would not be recognized or detectable by another savvy gun owner (fanny packs, etc).

[2up1down]

I appreciate all of your thoughtful replies.

My only concern lies with personal safety, not protection of their property.
But I would hate to protect myself and end up in prison.
Could they prosecute for violating their policy under trespass by CHL?

Again thank you good citizens for your insight.
With great respect,
Michael

[GodnGunz]

Quite simply put, if you break the Law then you can be prosecuted.
If you violate a company policy you can be fired.

If the places you go have a correctly posted 30.06 (notice how I did not say “Legal”).
Then you need to respect that just like anywhere else.

This would include yards and building therein.
If it is not posted then you are not breaking any law.

Now to the moral issue:

The owner’s, whether you agree or not have a policy in place. A condition of employment is that you do not have any firearms on the job.
Like it or not them are the rules. You should not carry as you agreed to those conditions.
I am sure you shook someone’s hand when you were hired. A mans word is just that.

Is a truck worth dying for – HECK NO !!!
Should you be allowed to protect yourself --- Yes
Can you do so and not break the Law----Update... Likely NO due to OP’s Federal Clearances.---Be sure of what you have signed before you act Folks…
Can you do so and keep you word / bond as a Man ---No

Time to find another job or accept the rules.

Option 3: lose your integrity.

[hirundo82]

Now to the moral issue:

The owner’s, whether you agree or not have a policy in place. A condition of employment is that you do not have any firearms on the job.
Like it or not them are the rules. You should not carry as you agreed to those conditions.
I am sure you shook someone’s hand when you were hired. A mans word is just that.

Is a truck worth dying for – HECK NO !!!
Should you be allowed to protect yourself --- Yes
Can you do so and not break the Law----Yes
Can you do so and keep you word / bond as a Man ---No

Time to find another job or accept the rules.

Option 3: lose your integrity.

A man's highest moral duty is providing for his family. That includes putting food on the table as well as coming home to them safely every night.

Good jobs aren't that easy to come by, especially these days. If you have to break some pointless rules of your employer to provide for your family, so be it.

[GodnGunz]

A man's highest moral duty is providing for his family. That includes putting food on the table as well as coming home to them safely every night.

Good jobs aren't that easy to come by, especially these days. If you have to break some pointless rules of your employer to provide for your family, so be it.

Regardless of any “Justification”, you have still broken your word. Also more than likely you signed a document stating you have been advised and understand company policy.

If you violate that you should be fired and not whine when you are.

In my job I face this on a daily basis. Sometimes I can park off the property, other times it becomes a federal crime and I must leave it at home.

It is a very slippery slope when as individuals we start to decided which rules or laws to obey or ignore.

I agree that the 2nd is clear and all these restrictions are unconstitutional. But a business owner has a right to keep guns away for his business.
If not then you are infringing on his or her rights and that is just contrary to the whole point of "Right to bear Arms".
Remember it does not say "Have to bear arms"

We do harm to the cause when we choose to bypass even the most absurd rules.
The momentum is on our side lets not jeopardize it.

Is that worth dying for because I have to go unprotected from time to time?
It is for me.

[2up1down]

Now to the moral issue:

The owner’s, whether you agree or not have a policy in place. A condition of employment is that you do not have any firearms on the job.
Like it or not them are the rules. You should not carry as you agreed to those conditions.
I am sure you shook someone’s hand when you were hired. A mans word is just that.

Is a truck worth dying for – HECK NO !!!
Should you be allowed to protect yourself --- Yes
Can you do so and not break the Law----Yes
Can you do so and keep you word / bond as a Man ---No

Time to find another job or accept the rules.

Option 3: lose your integrity.

A man's highest moral duty is providing for his family. That includes putting food on the table as well as coming home to them safely every night.

Good jobs aren't that easy to come by, especially these days. If you have to break some pointless rules of your employer to provide for your family, so be it.

hirundo82 you nailed it! The policy wasn't in effect when I hired on and I am able to provide for my family very well.
My primary obligation is to love my wife as Christ loved the Church. I'll take my moral guidance from my discussions
with my heavenly Father and not concern myself with anyones particular OPINION on how I should conduct my life.

I guess our newest poster is morally superior , in his opinion.
No offense meant, but what a way to introduce yourself to the forum.
welcome aboard gawdngunz, I hope all of your future post will be as insightful.

[PappaGun]

Yes.

I would. I did when I worked for someone with a similar policy.
I knew the consequences and accepted them.

Thankfully now I am self-employed.

[GodnGunz]

hirundo82 you nailed it! The policy wasn't in effect when I hired on and I am able to provide for my family very well.
My primary obligation is to love my wife as Christ loved the Church. I'll take my moral guidance from my discussions
with my heavenly Father and not concern myself with anyones particular OPINION on how I should conduct my life.

I guess our newest poster is morally superior , in his opinion.
No offense meant, but what a way to introduce yourself to the forum.
welcome aboard gawdngunz, I hope all of your future post will be as insightful.

You asked if breaking the rules was wrong.
And sorry if that offends you but it is wrong.

It is not a question of thinking oneself morally superior.
It is the truth . First post or otherwise.
You disagree and lean towards "I will break the rules to get what I want".
If you feel that strongly then by all means tell your boss you don't agree with his policy and intend to carry.
Or by popular opinion be intentionally deceitful.

You mentioned something about having special clearances I assume of the type that have background investigations.
If that ever came up you would likely lose them and find it very hard to get them back ever.
I understand better that then dead, I just disagree.
It's a lot to consider.

You should not ask when you only want to hear one point of view.


Jesus Said “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” Matthew 22:21

[GodnGunz]

.

Hoping you consider all things, which you may have.

But I add one last word of serious Legal caution.
Since you have Federal clearances you have singed and sworn oaths to them, tread very carefully .
These in all likelyhood include clauses to the effect that if you “knowingly “ do something that could affect that status of your clearance that you “May” be subjected to Federal prosecution.
You are also obligated to tell on yourself.
I have to report a speeding ticket when it happens.

So if you walk into your next review and say. I knew it was against company policy but I carried a GUN anyway or if that is determined.
That could mean prison.
Could mean a felony. CHL is now gone, right to have a gun now gone.


Hence the “Slippery Slope” morality tale. It’s the way things are.
What is the leap for someone to say “It was wrong for them to tell me I can’t have a GUN at work”.
“It was wrong I faced federal charges” . “I am still going to have a GUN I don't care what the rules are” ?(Sound Familiar)???

Where does it end, all goes back to the original deceit of the matter.


You, agree or not, have “Voluntarily waived a good chunk of your rights”
Just like when you went in to the service, same as all of us Vet’s and holders of Fed clearances.




Opinions may vary on the morality. But this is painfully clear.

Food for Thought…

[Slowplay]

In my job I face this on a daily basis. Sometimes I can park off the property, other times it becomes a federal crime and I must leave it at home.

Just out of curiosity, could you expand on how sometimes you can park off property and other times it's a federal crime and you must leave it at home? Are you saying your employer requires you to drive and park in places where it's a federal crime to possess a firearm?