Trucker shoots would-be robber
 

No charges against trucker in fatal W. Knox shooting

Nevermind the lack of a permit, it is my understanding firearms are illegal in commercial vehicles. Though I must say, being from Knoxville, I'm glad to know the DA is not interested in making a criminal out of a victim that defended himself. I only wish our state and federal politicians would wise-up and make it legal for drivers to arm themselves for the very sake of situations such as this.

He could possibly be charged for federal gun crimes. Good for that driver though. I would have shot that bastard as well.

Legal to arm ourselves? I would have shot three people already this week, And it's only Monday.

He can face federal gun charges?? They guy threw a rock through the window and tried to enter. What else was he(trucker) supposed to do? Obey the law and die??

I don't think the trucker will face any charges.

He may not face any charges, but he might easily lose his job! But, that is better than losing his life! Of course, there is no evidence that he WOULD have lost his life if he'd given over a few dollars to the scumbags who were robbing him. But, you never know what those crackheads will do!

Just so it is clear. Hobo may choose NOT to carry a gun in the truck, especially since I am no longer OTR. But, I cannot argue with the idea under the current demoralized conditions.

I have no "liberal" sympathy for the dead criminal.

I would like to think that the driver had a RIGHT to carry a gun in his truck, and I would like to INSIST that it be "registered." That way, there will be no problems for HIM!

Times are really tough out there folks. Do what you CAN to be safe! Personally, I'd rather see a relaxation of the HOS rules that will allow a driver to park in a well lit Truckstop for the night, and drive a FEW miles in the morning to deliver without busting his 14 hour clock!

Please note that this driver was parked in a remote location, not a truckstop! I might even think that OFF/ON ramps were not such a good idea these days! There is safety in numbers!

Don't BE a "target!" Don't BE the "easy prey" of a lone water buffalo seperated from the herd.

Don't PUT yourselves in a postition where you NEED a gun to protect yourselves.

one less scum-bag to victumize truck drivers

Okay, maybe not you Jumbo. Unless, of course, they deserved it :D

According to the article, the driver will not face any charges. It appears the DA has no desire press the issue further (fortunately).

Unfortunately, that does not preclufde the FMCSA or the family of the scumbags from doing so. I HOPE this is the end of it, but.... I've NEVER known our justice system to work so well.

I think, as truck drivers "live" in their trucks, they should have the right to bear arms.
I know that could throw a kink in the hose, if truckers are out there packing, but this is an example why it might be good to carry in order to protect yourself.
It is good to hear that this "Dirty Harry" was able to drop this criminal.

The driver could very well face a civil suit, but considering the would-be robber's lengthy criminal history, it would be a tough, if not impossible, sale to get a jury (or judge) to convict the driver of any wrong-doing. Especially in Knox County.

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You have to do what you have to protect your life, it is outrageous how many people are murdered across america; daily. Three cheers for the DA. his father must have driven trucks, with the economy in the shape it's in people are becomung desperate, along with the nuts that are already here. I'll stop as I started, you do what you have to.

One can only hope! I am all for TORT reform! If it weren't for the jury nullification that let O.J. Simpson off, I'd be against ANY civil lawsuits where no criminal charges were proved! Yet, they continue to clog our courtrooms!

Tell me about it! I live in one of the most litigious, judicial hellhole counties in the nation. It used to be ranked no. 1 for medical malpractice and other such suits but has fallen to around no. 4 or 5 in recent years. Just in case anyone is wondering it is St. Clair county IL.
To get any decent medical care I must drive at least 30 minutes over to the St. Louis area.

Come on down to Oklahoma, we have a "Make my day" law. If you feel your life is threatened you can shoot. It has lowered crime.
Oklahoma State Senate - News

I see no good reason why we need to register guns. I understand what you are saying, golfhobo, but we didn't need to register guns when I grew up. Nor did we have to wait for a background check before we purchased a gun. And we never had people going out and committing mass murder. We also never had children killing other children. Parents set parameters for their children and the children abided by the rules. (Well, mostly).

If this had happened in New York or Massachusetts this driver would face a long list of felony charges including murder. I am very pleased that the DA in Tennessee had enough common sense as to let this drop. The perpetrator got what he deserved. If more people carried weapons to protect themselves we would have fewer assaults and deaths of victims.

I would think that the estate of the "victim (gag)" would more likely sue the trucking company as well as the driver in a civil suit. The juice wouldn't be worth the squeeze to go after an out of state driver alone in a civil matter.

I am surprised that no criminal matter is coming about regarding the driver having a weapon in their possession in a commercial vehicle. It gives a bit more credence to the argument that perhaps there isn't a federal law prohibiting a fire arm in a commercial vehicle (let's assume that the gun is registered for argument sake). As noted by a prior poster, the driver might still be terminated if carrying is against company policy.

Excellent article! :thumbsup:

What's the old saying?"I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6"........

Lady and gentlemen --

The FMCSRs are silent on the issue of guns in trucks. There is no FMCSR that prohibits (or allows) a firearm in a commercial vehicle. That means you do not violate the FMCSRs if you carry and drive. We are left with our national patchwork of state/county/parish/city gun laws, and the discretion (and good sense--or lack of it) of our legal system, and your company's policies about guns n' trucks. So if you want to talk about firearms--long, short, scattergun, whatever--in trucks, please leave the FMCSRs out of it.

I carried for awhile when I drove, so you know my position on the subject. I knew that if my company somehow found out, that they'd tear up my contract. I knew better than to take loads into Canada while I had a pistol and ammunition with me. I've never understood why anyone's right to defend themselves is even questioned.

As for Mr. Hodges (sp?): one less cockroach. He wasn't missed and I doubt he will be.

dobry4u -- PM for you

hey, don't you owe me fifty bucks?