# Mr. Richard B. Loden — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 06-0165  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2006-08-24

06-0165 concerning 173.54.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
.S. Department
Wastington, D.C. 20590
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Hazardous Materials Safety
Pipeline and
Administration
Mr. 2cha 2096
B. Loden
3959 Chestnut
Ref. No. 06-0165
Concord, CA 94519
Avenue
Dear Mr. Loden:
This responds
the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-
to your letter regarding the applicability of
lawfully carried by a commercial motor vehicle operator
180) to the transportation of a loaded personal firearm
while in the performance of his or her duties. Specifically,
you ask whether the transportation of such a firearm is
prohibited by the HMR under the "forbidden explosives"
clause in § 173.54 (f) .
The answer to your question is no. Unless otherwise
specified in § 173.54(f), a personal loaded or unloaced
firearm lawfully carried by a commercial motor vehicle
operator is not considered in commerce and therefore not
subject to the HMR.
vehicle operator who carries a personal firearm while in the
Under this scenario, a commercial motor
State jurisdiction regarding such matters.
performance of his or her duties is subject to local or
has been coordinated with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
This response
Administration.
we can be of further assistance.
I trust this satisfies your inquiry. Please contact us if
Sincerely,
Totte z. michel
Hattie L. Mitchell
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
113.5418)
060165

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Stevens
8173.54(8)
Richard B. Loden
Forbiditen Explosives
(Firearms)
3959 Chestnut Avenue
Concord, CA 94519
06-0165
July 11, 2006
Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo
US Department of Transportation
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
PHH-10
400 7" Street SW
• Washington, DC 20590-0001
Reference: My letter of May 25' (attached)
Your reply of July 6* (attached)
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
I am aware that the HMR does not apply to a private citizen transporting hazardous
It appeared that I did not properly phrase my question in my previous letter.
materials for non-commercial purposes.
49CFR §173.54(f) classes a loaded firearm as a forbidden explosive and does not allow
one to be offered for transportation or transported.
operating a commercial vehicle, which may or may not be transporting other
Does this prohibition apply to a commercial driver's personal firearm while that driver is
hazardous materials? It is assumed that all other federal, state, or local laws and
regulations pertaining to the carry and transport of firearms are being followed?
Sincerely,
Richardstübeen
ichard B. Lode

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2006/060165.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `678ba6b725bc79e268cb7e89b37bf5f352657f66aff71dfcfbadb8338420a742`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T04:58:41.908Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-06-0165`

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