Classicxl, 'bout the only legal weapon a commercial driver can carry, is something like a dog! A tire-thumper against a gun is no match. A tire-thumper against some kind of chemical sprayed into the sleeper vents is no match.
But, since our occupation takes us into situations we can't control, we deserve some kind of dispensation in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations which permit us to protect ourselves.
The most frightening moment I've had was in Cleveland. 6:30 AM, and folks are coming to work. I'm backed in to the dock. Big, mean, angry, looking black dude walking by says to me "Yo, dude. That's the wrong name to have on your truck!". Turns out the the name of the company I drove for at that time, is also the name of a rival gang in that neighborhood.
So, I'm left wondering if I will be dodging sniper fire on my way out of that part of town.
So, there I am with a tire-thumper against who-knows-what kind of fire-power, just wantin' to get out of that part of Dodge and get on with the business of earning a living.
If I'm engaged in the task of delivering goods and services to all parts of this nation, please allow me to defend myself against the crazies that I encounter.
Since 9/11, pilots on commercial aircraft now have the right to carry guns. Why can't I?