TBS#72 Gun control “Can I carry a gun in my truck?”

admin | Mar 22, 2009 | 1 comment

I read that prosecutors opted against filing charges against a trucker who fatally shot a burglar entering the trucker’s parked rig in West Knox County.”Our recommendation is not to charge that gentleman,” said John Gill, special counsel to Knox County District Attorney General Randy Nichols.

The trucker, Richard Vance Allen, 68, of North Carolina shot James Edward Hodges Jr., 34, of Loudon about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. Gill said he was unsure if the trucker had a permit to carry the handgun he used in the shooting while his rig was parked at a warehouse parking lot at 10720 Lexington Road.”We weren’t concerned with that,” Gill said. “We were concerned whether the homicide was justified or not. We determined that it was.” gun control

“Can I carry a gun in my truck” is one of the most frequently asked questions I get. Here’s the truth: According to the U.S. Constitution, you have the right to bear arms and there’s no rule in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) prohibiting you from carrying a gun in your truck. But, depending on what state you’re driving in, you may not be able to legally carry a gun in your tractor. Remember, simply having a concealed gun permit in your home state doesn’t exempt you from all other state laws.

For example, say you have a valid permit to carry a gun in your home state. As long as you’re in your home state, it’s perfectly legal to carry your gun. But, once you leave your home state, your gun permit usually isn’t valid anywhere else. To make matters worse, not all states allow you to be in possession of a handgun at all and many consider carrying a gun a felony. Being convicted of a felony while operating a commercial vehicle will suspend your CDL for 12 months. Also, don’t forget to check with your company/lease company to see if they have a weapons policy. Violating an internal company policy can cost you your job regardless of whether you’ve violated a state law or not.

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