Truckers, in particular, should be able to carry countrywide. Their vocations require them to work in a variety of problematic circumstances, frequently alongside questionable individuals. Truckers are already burdened by onerous government and business rules. Truckers should not be unable to defend themselves against those who follow no law. The Second Amendment is for all law-abiding citizens. Truckers are put into some of the most vulnerable positions. Ruling that they cannot defend themselves against those who follow no laws. Without truckers, our shelves would be empty.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
By Dean Weingarten
