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legal to carry loaded gun in semi

bigtrks

New member
Joined
Dec 31, 2011
Messages
2
Location
washington
I am an owner operater (semi truck) I drive only in wash st. I do not cross any state lines. I have had a CWP in washington for many years. Is it legal for me to carry my loaded glock in my truck? If you think not please tell me why?
 

slapmonkay

Campaign Veteran
Joined
May 6, 2011
Messages
1,308
Location
Montana
I am an owner operater (semi truck) I drive only in wash st. I do not cross any state lines. I have had a CWP in washington for many years. Is it legal for me to carry my loaded glock in my truck? If you think not please tell me why?

Welcome to OCDO. Take some time to review the forum sticky threads, gun rights pamphlet and the RCW. Most firearm laws are under 9.41 and viewable online at the following link. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.41
 

hermannr

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Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
2,327
Location
Okanogan Highland
I am an owner operater (semi truck) I drive only in wash st. I do not cross any state lines. I have had a CWP in washington for many years. Is it legal for me to carry my loaded glock in my truck? If you think not please tell me why?

If you have a valid WA CPL you can carry a pistol loaded in any vehicle, but not a long gun...your truck, your car, a bus, the ferry any vehicle...not a problem.

While RCW 9.41 is the main law the restriction on loaded long guns in vehicles is in RCW 77.

The applicable law for loaded carry of a pistol in a vehicle is in RCW 9.41.050(2)(a)

BTW: That is a CPL (concealed PISTOL license) not a CWP (Concealed Weapons Permit) Your license only covers handguns, no other weapon.
 
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slapmonkay

Campaign Veteran
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May 6, 2011
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1,308
Location
Montana
thats the problem I can't find anything (specific law) that says yes or no

The way WA law is written a specific action is considered legal unless there is a law that makes it illegal. Thus, you will never find laws saying what you can do, just what you cant.

I am unaware of a law that would prevent you from carring loaded with a CPL however I have not reviewed any of the commercial trucking laws. If you are uncertian its best to get solid legal advise from your lawyer. Any information provided is only best effort. However it should give you a good idea.
 

amlevin

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
5,937
Location
North of Seattle, Washington, USA
This topic comes up on not just this forum but others as well. The answer is that there are no laws preventing a "commercial driver" from having a loaded pistol in his Semi as long as he/she are in compliance with State law (Local too but most States now preempt Local for firearm regulation).

The issues presented to most Commercial Truckers is the prohibition of firearms on the various facilities they service. No entry to Federal Installations allowed with a firearm in the vehicle. Many private companies do so as well. Their property, their rules, sometimes even to inspecting vehicles entering or departing.

Owner/Operators often "lease" their rigs to companies to exclusively haul their products. If that company has rules, and the lease requires that the Owner/Operator adhere to them, no gun if prohibited in the rule book.

It's not against any law, it can just be inconvenient for those truckers that enter and exit prohibited areas regularly, Government or Private, so they just leave them home.
 

Ultra09

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2011
Messages
20
Location
Mukilteo
There is no regulation in the FMCSA handbook in regards to this.
Although the truckstop counter lawyers may state otherwise. :banghead:
As stated above company, state and or local laws prevail.
One other not mentioned was Canada although the op stated he stayed in WA state.
 

Just Us

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2010
Messages
248
Location
West Fargo, ND
I also drive semi and about a year and a half ago I looked for a couple days for something prohibiting the carry in a Commercial Vehicle, found nothing. 9.41 doesn't prohibit. I went down to the commercial vehicle headquarters in tacoma and asked about it. I was told it's the same as a car. Nothing in the laws prohibit the carry. The problem you might have is in the ports where I still believe it IS prohibited. If you did go out of statethere still wouldn't be a issue unless you go to one of the eight municipals of Oregon that prohibits without a Oregon permit. Idaho, Montana, and several others recognizes our CPL. (Yes, I know you said you don't cross state lines.)
 

hermannr

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
2,327
Location
Okanogan Highland
I also drive semi and about a year and a half ago I looked for a couple days for something prohibiting the carry in a Commercial Vehicle, found nothing. 9.41 doesn't prohibit. I went down to the commercial vehicle headquarters in tacoma and asked about it. I was told it's the same as a car. Nothing in the laws prohibit the carry. The problem you might have is in the ports where I still believe it IS prohibited. If you did go out of statethere still wouldn't be a issue unless you go to one of the eight municipals of Oregon that prohibits without a Oregon permit. Idaho, Montana, and several others recognizes our CPL. (Yes, I know you said you don't cross state lines.)

Port districts are governmental entities, I do not believe they have the authority to restrict your carry any more than any other governmental entity. RCW 9.41.300
 

larrybob

New member
Joined
Jan 30, 2011
Messages
8
Location
Bremerton, WA
Port districts are governmental entities, I do not believe they have the authority to restrict your carry any more than any other governmental entity. RCW 9.41.300

I'm not sure about who owns the port, but they fall under homeland security rules.
That is why I had to buy a TWIC when I did service work.
 

Just Us

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2010
Messages
248
Location
West Fargo, ND
Be mindful, I didn't read every word of both acts.

Homeland Security Act of 2002 or Safe Port Act of 2006 doesn't talk about prohibiting firearms.
It is posted no weapons and going on the ports you are subject to search including the truck. They can ask you to leave and not return, plus put a red flag in the system on you. I think we got a little off track. As to being in a semi, yes it's allowed.
 

VW_Factor

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2010
Messages
1,092
Location
Leesburg, GA
thats the problem I can't find anything (specific law) that says yes or no

First thing to get you over is that there is never any law that says "Yes this is ok". That is not what laws are. Laws are made to prohibit actions, not allow them.
 

MadHatter66

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
320
Location
Poulsbo, Kitsap County, Washington, USA
I'm not sure about who owns the port, but they fall under homeland security rules.
That is why I had to buy a TWIC when I did service work.

Not to get off topic, but why does everyone that has a TWIC think they are some type of LE? I get people all the time that try to use their TWIC to get a LE discount or LE related perk...:banghead:
 

Just Us

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2010
Messages
248
Location
West Fargo, ND
Not to get off topic, but why does everyone that has a TWIC think they are some type of LE? I get people all the time that try to use their TWIC to get a LE discount or LE related perk...:banghead:

+1

Not all who have it think that way.
Those other ones should realize it's for the purpose of getting on ports and the oil fields.
 

Plugpenny

New member
Joined
Jan 23, 2011
Messages
6
Location
Atoka, TN
Lo All,

I was a driver for fifteen years until blown retina pulled my DOT MED card in 2009.

I won a bet with a Memphis, TN Ryder service writer for $1000 that that there was no FMCR rule blanket prohibiting a firearm in a commercial vehicle. He couldn't find it and had a whole weekend to produce the rule. He did try to pass off the prohibitions agains a LOADED firearm off but no joy.

If you haul certain types of cargo (contact sensitive explosives, explosive gasses...etc.) you may not have a loaded firearm. Loaded in the FMCR is defined as a round in the chamber. Otherwise, you may carry a firearm to your heart's content (so long as you follow state law.)

Check for yourself.

And just assume that anywhere you travel with a TWIC card is going to dis-allow firearms into the facility. Some of these facilities offer storage for you firearm while onsite. Most do not.

Now, the above refers to FEDERAL commercial regulations. Your mileage may vary by state regulations.

Feel free to go to the local state office where you renew your CDL. Try to get in there when they are not busy and pigeon-hole an officer. Ask them if they wouldn't mind helping you find the pertaining regs within state law. Might help to bring fresh cookies, but that is how we roll in TN. Cookies are considered an incentive and inducement to helpfulness, not a bribe here...hehehe.

The Bad Penny Has Spoken! if anybody was listening...
 

amlevin

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
5,937
Location
North of Seattle, Washington, USA
Feel free to go to the local state office where you renew your CDL. Try to get in there when they are not busy and pigeon-hole an officer. Ask them if they wouldn't mind helping you find the pertaining regs within state law. Might help to bring fresh cookies, but that is how we roll in TN. Cookies are considered an incentive and inducement to helpfulness, not a bribe here...hehehe.

I've offered this challenge in years past but you know how some "truckers" can be. Their minds are made up and just hate to be confused with facts.

Good for you on not settling for BS in lieu of fact.

As for the "Cookie inducement", at my local DOL office you would need to take LOTS of cookies judging from the size of some employees there.;)
 
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