Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/680256
WISDOM & 14 www.FlatbedTruckingJobs.com May 2016 WISECRACKS By Wendy Parker A nother trucker was attacked this week – according to an article in CDL Life, a driver parked in his company lot for the night was wakened by a brick through the side window, followed closely by a person with a knife, demanding money. Fortunately, this driver was able to fi ght the guy off, and lived through the incident by using his fi sts and wits. We know from past experience this isn't always true. Some- times, people bring guns instead of knives to a robbery, and the driver doesn't survive – or they spend two months in the hospital, healing their guts up from an extra couple of holes a cretin from the streets decided to give them. The call to even the playing fi eld and allow truckers to carry personal protec- tion has become stronger over the years. Jason's Law has proven to be little deter- rent — rest areas continue to close and the need for safe parking will only be compounded by the e-log mandate. In this most recent incident, a company lot with razor wire wasn't safe — it was dark and in a bad part of town. It's now a frequent occurrence to hear of a trucker being shot or stabbed, and a lot of people think an across-the-board permit to carry should be issued with a CDL, based on the ability to pass a background check that also clears them for things like a TWIC card and hazmat clearance. In theory, this is redundant, because American citizens have the right to bear arms, according to the 2nd Amendment. In application, it's necessary because 2nd Amendment rights aren't observed in some states. In reality it's a terrible idea, because passing a background check doesn't mean you're a responsible gun owner. It's no secret our family supports the 2nd Amendment to the fullest. I grew up in a gun family, my father built, bought and sold guns his whole life. We were taught to be responsible and knowledgeable about our guns, my dad preached responsibility more than rights, and my Uncle Flip carries on that tradition today. We take owning guns very seriously, and unfortunately, not every- one who owns or carries one has had the benefi t of education about the responsibil- ity involved with the right to do so. I agree whole-heartedly with the argu- ment that if we can trust someone to haul nuclear waste, they should be trusted enough to carry a gun, but there should be education included with that particular aspect, instead of an overall OK to do so. Unfortunately, I also believe that if the Drivers under attack from vulnerable positions