18 wheelers

[misterdiesel]

this may overlap into another forum. i own a 18 wheeler. i often carry hazmat and its on the terrorist target list. i cant legally carry a firearm. but its been know to get accidentally left in the sleeper accidentally. im in a quandry as how do you protect yourself and a hazardous cargo unarmed. theoretically how would you employ weapons if you were armed. i dont think its highly likely to happen but there is a first time. and with my luck it would probably be me. just curious as to the opinions and how to possibly train.

[OdieWon]

shoot 'em in the head, real fast before they have a chance to interact with your cargo.

And then drive off before LEO's show up.

It's all I could come up with in a pinch.

[misterdiesel]

kinda had one leo hint that was the best idea. taggem and run.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by misterdiesel

just curious as to the opinions and how to possibly train.

Well first of all, you have a tremendous weapon right there in your hands. - Your truck.

If for some reason you get stopped, you also have height to your advantage. You can shoot down at the terrorists.

Maybe you might think of armoring your cab with kevlar? (Is it your truck?)
If not, then at least wear a kevlar vest.

Look at the S.I. handgun courses available in your area.

Do as many of them as is possible.

If you don't risk a search of your truck, then carry a good handgun anyway.

If you need it, then you can argue the legalities leter, - in court, - if you survive the attack.

I'd love to be a trucker. - I love driving and the open highway.

Regards,
Anthony.

[OB-1]

Originally Posted by misterdiesel

this may overlap into another forum. i own a 18 wheeler. i often carry hazmat and its on the terrorist target list. i cant legally carry a firearm. but its been know to get accidentally left in the sleeper accidentally. im in a quandry as how do you protect yourself and a hazardous cargo unarmed. theoretically how would you employ weapons if you were armed. i dont think its highly likely to happen but there is a first time. and with my luck it would probably be me. just curious as to the opinions and how to possibly train.

Why can't you "legally" carry a firearm? Do you live in or travel through a state that dosn't issue or honor Concealed Carry licenses?

Contrary to a popular myth, USDOT rules do not prohibit carrying firearms in a CMV. Many companies have policies prohibiting weapons, but that's not law, even though it may cost you your job.

IMHO, the biggest problem carrying a weapon in the trucking business is complying with all the different state and sometimes local laws as you travel around performing your job. There's no federal law against carrying a weapon in a CMV, but you are supposed to comply with the local weapons laws where ever you happen to be. As long as your business doesn't take you into the northeast, WI, IL or CA, it's not too difficult to comply with the local laws.

As far as protecting your cargo, I think the biggest deterent is to simply keep your wheels spinning. You're driving an 80,000 pound weapon. Traffic is always a concern, but keep moving to the maximum extent possible. It's kinda hard to hijack a moving vehicle.

[Dorkface]

Watch the last part of The Road Warrior. Mass and velocity are a wonderful thing.

If for some reason you had to abandon your rig is there an easy way you could disable it so that it couldn't be driven off? Taking the keys is a given.

[Michael Biggs]

Most of the interstate truckers I use to know carried a 12 guage shotgun.

Is this still a standard practice?

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally Posted by misterdiesel

i cant legally carry a firearm.

Which law says that you can't?

[Denny Crane]

Since you are "living" or ( working & sleeping ) in your truck, wouldn't the various state's Castle Laws apply to your truck?

Believe me I'm no lawyer, we just had a shooting last week that was ruled a 'Castle Law' case where the home owner shot a BG in his home. No charges against the homeowner were filed.

DC

[fcdobbs]

I assume that most truck hijackings would be attempted when the truck was stopped. That being the case, mass and speed will only work against you. No doubt the al Qaeda types will think it very funny as they walk alongside your truck as you desperately accelerate your way through double reduction. That's if they don't shoot as you wait the few seconds to release the parking brakes.

I also wouldn't count on the aluminum reenforced fiberglass cabs of modern trucks stopping many bullets. Think concealment not cover.

I've given some serious thought about this scenario, although I don't haul haz-mat. My thinking is that a stopped truck is stuck on the X, but its driver doesn't have to be. Be alert to your surroundings, stop in well lighted areas, be especially cautious when near high value targets.

The best idea I have is that the driver may be a sitting duck behind the wheel of a stopped truck, but if you can get on the ground or are on the ground, like when doing a walk-around, then the engine and drivetrain are great cover.

If you can, carry a gun and get the training to know how to use it.

If you can't kill the hijackers, kill the truck. A few shots to the radiator or, especially, the air system should do the trick.

In any event, I wouldn't expect your opponents to leave you alive to call in the cavalry.