“Get Him Off My Truck”: The Night Amos Fought for His Life

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In the early hours of September 2, 2018, 64-year-old trucker Amos Phillips was asleep in his cab at a truck stop in Fort Hall, Idaho. He had just wrapped up a multi-state haul from Missouri and planned to rest before hitting the road again. After an evening visit to the local casino and a few hands of blackjack, he returned to his rig, tuned into Willie’s Roadhouse on SiriusXM, and dozed off.

Around 2:30 a.m., his world turned upside down.

A young man broke into the cab, demanding money with clenched fists holding rocks. Amos had once carried a Ruger Security-Six revolver for protection but left it at home after being wrongly told that truckers could not legally have firearms in their trucks. That decision changed everything. The attacker lunged. Amos fought back, targeting the man’s eyes and shoving him out with his legs. The intruder fled into the night.

The damage was severe. Amos spent a week in hospitals with a broken nose, cheekbone, a brain clot, and no health insurance. Later, two bloody rocks were recovered from the cab, physical proof of a terrifying and preventable attack.

What This Story Tells Us About the Job

Amos’ experience is not uncommon. Truckers face dangers that go far beyond traffic. The job often takes them through high-crime zones, dimly lit lots, and isolated rest areas. It is work that demands constant movement, but it rarely guarantees safety.

Many truckers believe they are barred by federal law from carrying firearms. This is a myth. The real problem is a maze of conflicting restrictions:

• Carriers often ban firearms in policy.
  
• Shippers and receivers post no-gun signage.
  
• State and local laws differ dramatically and carry harsh penalties.
  
• Federal property and tribal land add another layer of restriction.
  

To make things worse, electronic logging devices rigidly enforce hours of service. If a safe parking spot is not nearby, a driver may end up stuck in a vulnerable location. The risk is not theoretical. It is lived every night by thousands of drivers like Amos.

Lessons in Preparedness

What saved Amos that night was his mindset. Not panic. Not a weapon. He reacted, adapted, and fought for his life. But there are other ways drivers can prepare.

Situational awareness. Stay alert, especially when parking. Watch for anyone who seems out of place or approaching your cab. If something feels off, trust your gut.

Cab security. Install strong lighting and visible cameras. These tools discourage criminals and give drivers a better view of their surroundings. A loud dog or alarm can also buy critical time.

Legal self-defense tools. If company policy and local laws allow, a concealed carry weapon worn on-body can be a lifesaver. But it must be paired with training and knowledge of carry laws in every state on your route. If a firearm is not an option, pepper spray is widely legal and can be effective. Avoid relying on tools like knives or blunt objects without knowing how they are classified legally—they may count as deadly force.

Misinformation Has a Price

Amos gave up his firearm based on bad advice. That single error changed the course of his life. It turned a confident driver into a battered survivor, one who had to fight to recover physically and mentally. The cost of misinformation is high, and in this case, it was nearly fatal.

A Call for Real Support

Truckers like Amos keep the country running. They deliver the goods that stock shelves, supply hospitals, and fuel our economy. But too often, the system they serve does not protect them in return.

Drivers deserve more than applause. They need real solutions: more secure parking, better lighting, consistent laws, and policies that recognize their exposure to danger. Above all, they need to be empowered with the truth and with the tools to defend themselves.

Amos did not freeze. He fought and lived to tell the story. Many others are not so lucky. The goal is not heroism. It is survival. It is making it back home after another long run.

Want to be prepared before, during, and after a self-defense situation on the road? Explore the benefits of a USCCA Membership today and get the training, legal protection, and confidence you need to stay safe behind the wheel.

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