Truck Drivers Sue to Restore Right to Bear Arms Across State Lines

AmmoLand ^ | January13, 2025 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

On January 7, 2025, two interstate commercial truck drivers filed a complaint in the Federal District Court for the District of Minnesota. The lawsuit contends Minnesota, and in particular, the Commissioner for the Department of Public Safety, is infringing on the exercise of their Second Amendment rights by not recognizing their right to bear arms across state lines.

Here is the introduction of their complaint:

1. This is a constitutional challenge to Minnesota’s refusal to recognize firearm permits lawfully issued by other States. Minnesota criminalizes carrying a firearm without a Minnesota permit or a recognized out-of-state firearm permit. Every year, the Commissioner for Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety decides which out-of-state firearm permits Minnesota will and will not recognize. The recognition of out-of-state firearm permits is at the Commissioner’s sole discretion and is not based on objective standards.
2. Currently, Minnesota only recognizes the out-of-state firearm permits from 20 states, and refuses to recognize the out-of-state permits from 29 states, including Texas, Florida, and Georgia. In other words, millions of law-abiding citizens who lawfully bear arms in their home states cannot do so while visiting the State of Minnesota—unless they obtain a separate Minnesota firearm permit.
3. Minnesota’s failure to honor lawfully issued firearm permits from all States places an unreasonable burden on Plaintiffs’ Second Amendment right to bear arms. Individuals do not lose their constitutional rights simply by crossing into another state. In fact, there is no other constitutional right that Minnesota requires a visiting individual to first obtain permission before they may exercise a fundamental right.
4. The Minnesota firearm permit law and the Commissioner’s arbitrary refusal to recognize the lawfully issued firearm permits from all other States violates the Second Amendment. Defendant will continue to infringe on millions of Americans’ right to bear arms in Minnesota unless, and until, a court declares the law

[Bobalu]

Perhaps truck driver could boycott hauling loads into states that do not recognize their right to protect themselves.

Stuff could get mighty scarce mighty fast if such were done...

[The Great RJ]

Welcome to the Peoples Republic of Minnesota comrade and be sure to show your papers at the border. Please enjoy our free tampons.

[Bonemaker]

Naturally, illannoy too.

[Bonemaker]

GFSZA...a Bush 1 gift.

[Bonemaker]

San Francisco 1000 foot gun free school zones. Try navigating that Bush, you prick. Thanks a rot.

[metmom]

Because they know that now they’ll have the support.

It’s great to look forward to 4 years of winning.

[Bon of Babble]

Trucks are increasingly being targeted for theft - some of it armed robberies.

They’ll have no fear in states where long-haul drivers, who cross into the state - are not allowed to arm themselves

[redfreedom]

This I believe. That gun free crap never stops criminals, never. Only the extremely stupid and gun grabbers are in favor of it.

[T.B. Yoits]

Once Dubya Bush signed the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (HR 218) where active and retired law enforcement from any state could carry in any other state, the Federal government lost any claim to deny regular citizens the same.

Regardless, the Second Amendment has no exceptions for state lines.

[rellimpank]

—driver’s licenses reciprocity is a result of this—

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver_License_Compact

[marktwain]

HR218 created good precedent for a national reciprocity law.

[lapsus calami]

 

 

Sounds good on paper but still problematic in practice. I'd expect that the communist ruled jurisdictions would ultimately acquiesce to be able to carry around and through, but may the Lord have mercy if you ever use it. The communistas would be primed to throw the book at any trucker who dared defend himself in their realm.