Legislation is moving forward in two states (OH & PA) that makes it illegal to have hidden compartments in trucks, either in all circumstances or some circumstances depending on the language of the bill. The intent is to help make the world safer by denying hidden compartments to people who use hidden compartments to carry guns, drugs and trafficked human beings.
See this Land Line magazine report.
An aftermarket sleeper manufacturer once told me of a driver who had a hidden compartment built into his sleeper in which he carries a gun. The idea was to avoid detection in states where the gun would be illegal.
When we had our truck body built, we had a covered channel built into the front wall through which the reefer lines are passed. Does that qualify as a hidden compartment under this legislation?
What if you built into the floor of your sleeper a hidden compartment in which a small fireproof safe is kept for storing valuables and vital papers? Does that make you a criminal under this legislation?
Our Volvo truck has a hidden compartment built into the dash. There are no handles, screws, hinges or signs that indicate it is there. Volvo owners know this compartment as the fuse box. If these bills pass, would we have to make up a label for the fuse box saying, "Hey, Mr. Policeman, this is not a hidden compartment because this label tells you it is here?"
The Pennsylvania version of the bill does not say it is illegal to have a hidden compartment in your truck. A hidden compartment would only become illegal if you intended to use it for hiding illegal drugs, guns or for human trafficking. I guess if you have a hidden compartment in your truck, you will need to route around Ohio and think only good thoughts while driving through Pennsylvania.
For gun runners, drug smugglers and human traffickers, I can see where such laws will be a real problem. I mean if you can't hide your illegal cargo in a hidden compartment, what alternative is there but to give up your trade and seek legal work?
On the other hand, drug smugglers have been known to hide their drugs inside vehicle tires. Tires are not hidden compartments so maybe the smugglers will be OK after all.
See this Land Line magazine report.
An aftermarket sleeper manufacturer once told me of a driver who had a hidden compartment built into his sleeper in which he carries a gun. The idea was to avoid detection in states where the gun would be illegal.
When we had our truck body built, we had a covered channel built into the front wall through which the reefer lines are passed. Does that qualify as a hidden compartment under this legislation?
What if you built into the floor of your sleeper a hidden compartment in which a small fireproof safe is kept for storing valuables and vital papers? Does that make you a criminal under this legislation?
Our Volvo truck has a hidden compartment built into the dash. There are no handles, screws, hinges or signs that indicate it is there. Volvo owners know this compartment as the fuse box. If these bills pass, would we have to make up a label for the fuse box saying, "Hey, Mr. Policeman, this is not a hidden compartment because this label tells you it is here?"
The Pennsylvania version of the bill does not say it is illegal to have a hidden compartment in your truck. A hidden compartment would only become illegal if you intended to use it for hiding illegal drugs, guns or for human trafficking. I guess if you have a hidden compartment in your truck, you will need to route around Ohio and think only good thoughts while driving through Pennsylvania.
For gun runners, drug smugglers and human traffickers, I can see where such laws will be a real problem. I mean if you can't hide your illegal cargo in a hidden compartment, what alternative is there but to give up your trade and seek legal work?
On the other hand, drug smugglers have been known to hide their drugs inside vehicle tires. Tires are not hidden compartments so maybe the smugglers will be OK after all.
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