A question for truckers out there

[crewchief]

This is actually a couple of questions and I apologize now if they get lengthy. Anyways I am a truck driver in the Ohio, Michigan area and currently have my Ohio CHL. Now I currently carry while I drive because you never know and plus I go to Detroit almost everyday and on the bad side like actually cruising on 8-mile. Well I pondered this for a while now, since I am way up in a Simi and Ohio has that messed up law that your carry piece has to be visible on your person while you are in your vehicle how would one go about doing this? Are there any THR members who are drivers and have been stopped by the DOT or a regular cop while packing in Ohio?


O.K. now for my second question, and before anybody says something I go to packing.org quite often and have not been able to get a clear answer. My Ohio CHL is honored in Michigan I already know and since I run to the bad parts of Detroit day or night I was wondering is it is okay once I cross the boarder into Michigan that I load up a pump 12ga. and keep that in close proximity to me while I am cruising around Detroit? Yes I know that this might sound a little excessive as an addition to my regular carry piece, but then again most of you don't have to go to Murderville at 2 a.m.


Moving along to my third question. Going back to Ohio and the whole thing of having to have it visible thing. There has been times that even though I run relatively short I have gotten stuck overnight waiting for a load and find a good spot and jump in the bunk. Now since I am off duty and have technically taken that motor vehicle and made it my temporary shelter can I have the pistol loaded yet accessible anywhere in the truck/bunk?


Okay those are the things I have been wondering about for awhile now. I hope some of my fellow THR drivers can chime in here. Oh, and for those of you wondering, Yes I am a company driver, and Yes they do have a policy of no weapons in the truck, and I don't care nor should I worry because my Father-in-Law owns the company I drive for.

 

[enfield]

Question #1 - I carried my NAA Guardian in a removable IWB holster on my way from Tennessee to Michigan earlier this month. In Ohio, I pulled it out of my waistband and clipped it over my shoulder belt. Hope THAT dumb law goes away.

Question #2 - In my non-lawyer opinion, it's illegal to carry a loaded rifle or shotgun in your car/truck, with or without a CPL, in Michigan.

 

[crewchief]

Thanks for the responces so far. I hope someone can chime in on the third question at hand though. It kind of falls in the catagory of having an R.V. as a temporary residence and how that affects the law.

 

[ilcylic]

I'd also be concerned about federal regulations regarding commercial drivers and firearms.

I recall my not-gun-savvy over-the-road truck driving friend saying something about that, but it may have just been company (Prime) policy.

-Ogre

 

[SMMAssociates]

"In plain sight" is just not defined....

There are some suggestions in the book that OFCC is selling, but what I get is "visible from any approach angle", which is nonsense.

In reality (IMHO and IANAL), there's no legal way to "carry" in a car in OH if somebody's out to hassle you about it.

The "steal me" box ("locked case") or glovebox provide the potential carjacker or other thug with a great advantate (thank you, Gov. Taft).

"On your person" seems to negate "clipped to the seat belt" carry.

Perhaps it's just me, but there's no way I can carry "in front" without running the risk of the weapon being shoved into my innards in an accident.

Probably the best thing to do is have your employer drop the Gov a note about how he'd prefer to do business in other states.

 

[SMLE]

I'd also be concerned about federal regulations regarding commercial drivers and firearms.

There are no Federal regs on this issue. I've looked into it when I was driving trucks. It goes by the State you are in. In New Mexico, any motor vehicle, commercial or otherwise, is an extension of your domicile and therfore carry of any firearm that is otherwise legal is perfectly OK. It can be loaded and concealed, long gun, handgun, class 3(you should have a copy of your tax stamp just for CYAWBH). As long as you are in your cab, you can do whatever you want. That' in New Mexico. If you're operating anywhere else, check local regs, there could be STATE regs that cover CMVs & guns.

 

[MarkDido]

That' in New Mexico. If you're operating anywhere else, check local regs, there could be STATE regs that cover CMVs & guns.

Schneider National (and I imagine most companies) had a "no firearms policy" that was cause for instant termination.

 

[jefnvk]

For those of us without CPL's, any gun must be unloaded, enclosed, and out of the immediate reach of the occupants.

I am inclined to say that the MI CPL does not cover long guns in vehicles, but I do not know for sure.

 

[crewchief]

Well on a side note now that we are talking about having to have your weapon in plain sight in Ohio. I have driven all over Ohio and in all the time since the adoption of the CCW I have never looked down in someones car and seen them have their piece in plain sight. I know that there are quite a few CCW holders out there and I just find it funny that I have never seen their firearm on their hip or whatever in plain sight.

 

[SMLE]

Schneider National (and I imagine most companies) had a "no firearms policy" that was cause for instant termination.

Merit had the same policy. But Merit and Schnieder can't put you in jail for breaking their rules. I caried anyway. Had my Beretta 96 in a Galco IWB everywhere I went. Walking around the back of a super Wal-Mart at stupid O'clock in the AM in a bad part of town without a gun was NOT an option I was even remotly willing to accept.

But that's ME, YMMV.

 

[crewchief]

Yep the company I work for has a no firearms policy too like I mentioned earlier, but like I also mentioned my Father-in-Law is the owner of the company so I really don't have to worry about it. His company also has 24 other terminals in 19 states across the east coast and midwest so there is always relocation possibilitys if I decide to.