Self protection?
 

I know it's illegal to carry a firearm in a truck and I know most knives bigger than your palm are illegal, but what do you all use for protection? I'm not looking to use a weapon against someone, but right now I'm parked on a dark side street in downtown Washington DC and there have been a homeless guy and a crackhead strolling past my truck so far tonight. I can take care of myself for the most part, but truckers are sometimes put in shady situations like the one I find myself currently in. Baseball bats? Mace? Tire iron?

Re: Self protection?
 

it is not illegal to carry a firearm in a truck just to let you know. If you have a carry permit for the state that your in.

All 3 you mentioned is good. I heard wasp spay works good. If you feel unsafe where you're currently parked, can't you move to another location? Sorry if that seems to be a stupid question, it's been 20 years since I've driven OTR, but I never parked where I felt unsafe. BTW, I plan on going back on the road next year, hope I never get in a situation like that. BOL.

When the State Highway Patrol came and talked at school. The question of carrying a firearm in a truck came up.

He said it was legal if it was in a contained box. He said a shoe box with a string around it tied in a bow was classified as a contained box.

Is this just a state of Iowa law or is it that way everywhere??

He also said more truck drivers get killed by their own gun than by a assailants gun.

The rules and definitions vary state to state....

That could well be true..... It is statistically true for the population as a whole.

"Joe Schmuck got pissed at Freddy Doofus, pulled a saturday night special out of his pocket and threatened Freddy. Freddy kicked Joe in the nuts, took the gun and shot Joe in the face three times." Under the circumstances the District Attorney said it was "self defense".

"Joe Schmuck bought a 357 Magnum for "protection", and kept it in his nightstand.... Freddy the gangbanger and some of his homies decide to rip Joe off. Well they breaks in and starts to doing the midnite shopping gig, but Joe wakes up, grabs his piece (the gun) and runs into the living room, yelling some silly crap.... Freddy and company just look at him.... Freddy walks over smacks Joe upside the head, takes the cannon.....blows Joes head off....cleans out the pad, and takes the gun too...."

I use 25ft shot Hornet Spray.

Some states have nutty laws on their books. For instance, in the Socialist Republic of New York, you can be charged with a felony if you have an unloaded gun in your vehicle and the ammunition is anywhere nearby. The Socialist Republic of Massachusetts can send you to jail for a year for having one in your vehicle and fine you $10,000. They don't recognize the U.S. Constitution in those states. Some states will not bother you if it is in the open and not hidden. Others are OK with having it in the glove box. Each state is a little different in their laws. Some conflict with the Constitution, but that is for another thread. Because of how we travel across state lines, you could be legal in your home state and illegal in another state. States who have the most restrictions have the highest crime rates involving guns. Those with lower crime rates have the most liberal gun laws.

Sorry but this sounds Lame!