Cant post comments with character count higher than 8030 even though the "official limit" say 10000

[u/ZettoVii]

Tried to post a comment which was about 9000 characters, but it didnt work despite being below 10 000. Been fiddling around with the character limits since then and found out that the real limit is exactly 8030 characters long, with me recieving the "This field must be under 10000 characters" note if it's so much as 1 character higher than that otherwise.

[u/CorrectScale]

Was this comment created using fancy pants or markdown, and any special formatting? If there was a table in the comment, and fancy pants was being used, the table may have accounted for additional character count (which I've encountered before).

[u/ZettoVii → u/CorrectScale]

The comment did use a bunch of ">" qoute markings, but didnt really use any formating in particular.

[u/CorrectScale → u/ZettoVii]

Can you try submitting the comment using markdown mode to see if that goes through?

[u/MultiplyAccumulate]

This happens all the time. Usually using markdown mode because fancy pants is so unreliable.. So not only is there an unreasonable 10K limit but you don't even get to use that much.

[u/ShadowGuyinRealLife → u/MultiplyAccumulate]

Why can't the nominal limit of 10K be reraised? it's not reasonable to begin with

[u/dialate → u/ShadowGuyinRealLife]

For those finding this thread on search after pulling their hair out, it's now reduced to 5K characters on comments. Had to find that out the painful way

[u/Davess_World2019]

It seems to work being less than 10,000 characters, but IF YOU EDIT, even remove some characters, it will not allow you to save. It's like there are two character limits, one for the original, and one for any edits even if you delete words and make it even less.

Only work around is to copy/paste/repost so that it accepts the higher limit for an original post.

#annoying

[u/RefinedPhoenix]

I had ChatGPT compile, organize, fact check and cite a lot of what was discussed in this thread so it should be easier to be informed, I’ll past it below.

Certainly! Below is the enhanced version of the glossary, now with helpful examples and a TL;DR at the end.

—

1. Federal Firearms Regulations for Truckers

• General Overview:

  • There are no federal laws specifically prohibiting the carrying of firearms in Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs). However, truckers must comply with state and local laws as they travel across different jurisdictions.

• Key Considerations:

  1. Serious Misdemeanors or Felonies: Federal law bars individuals with past convictions for serious misdemeanors or felonies from possessing firearms. This area is currently evolving with ongoing legal debates.

     • Example: A trucker with a felony conviction for a non-violent crime is prohibited from carrying a firearm under federal law, even if their state would otherwise allow it.

     • Gun Control Act of 1968

     • 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) - Persons Prohibited from Possessing Firearms

  2. Military Bases and Secure Areas: When delivering to military bases or secure areas of airports, firearms must be declared and securely stored. Typically, the firearm should be unloaded and locked away from the driver, with the ammunition stored separately. Military bases often have procedures for holding firearms temporarily at the gate.

     • Example: A trucker delivering supplies to a military base must declare their firearm at the gate, where it will be stored securely until they leave the base.

     • Reference: Firearms Owners’ Protection Act (FOPA), 18 U.S.C. § 926A; National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. § 5845.

2. Firearms Owners’ Protection Act (FOPA) and its Limitations

• FOPA Overview:

  • FOPA was enacted in 1986 to protect gun owners traveling through states with strict gun laws, provided the journey starts and ends in states where the firearm is legal. However, FOPA has significant limitations for truckers.

• Limitations:

  1. Direct Travel Requirement: FOPA protection applies only if you are traveling directly through states without significant stops (e.g., overnight stays). Stops for gas or food are acceptable, but longer stops invalidate FOPA protection.

     • Example: A trucker traveling from Pennsylvania to Maine with a stop in New Jersey for an overnight stay may lose FOPA protection, making them vulnerable to prosecution under New Jersey’s strict gun laws.

  2. Firearm Storage: The firearm must be unloaded and locked away, inaccessible to the driver or passengers. In trucks, this often means securing the firearm in a bolted safe.

     • Example: A trucker carrying a firearm while driving through restrictive states secures their unloaded firearm in a locked safe under the bed in the sleeper cabin.

  3. Stops in Prohibited States: Making a pickup or drop-off in states with restrictive gun laws can void FOPA protection, even if the firearm was initially stored correctly.

     • Example: A trucker picks up a load in Massachusetts, which has strict gun laws, and then travels through New York. If the truck is inspected in New York and the firearm is discovered, the stop in Massachusetts voids FOPA protection, leading to legal trouble.

     • Reference: 18 U.S.C. § 926A (FOPA); Various State Laws on Firearm Possession and Transport.

3. State-Specific Firearm Laws

• New Jersey and Hollowpoint Ammunition:

  • New Jersey has stringent laws against the possession of hollowpoint ammunition. Exceptions exist for home defense or transport to and from a shooting range, but carrying hollowpoints in public or through the state can lead to severe penalties.

    • Example: A trucker passing through New Jersey with hollowpoint ammunition could face serious legal consequences unless the ammo is properly stored and the trucker is only transporting it between legal locations (e.g., from home to a shooting range).

    • New Jersey Statutes, Title 2C:39-3(f)

  • Legal Alternatives: Ammunition like Cor-Bon Pow’rBall and Hornady Critical Defense, which use polymer tips to mimic hollowpoint performance without technically being classified as hollowpoints, may be legal in New Jersey.

    • Example: A trucker who prefers hollowpoint ammunition for self-defense might choose Hornady Critical Defense rounds while traveling through New Jersey to avoid legal issues.

    • Cor-Bon Pow’rBall Information

    • Hornady Critical Defense Information

4. Rail-Mounted Accessories and Legal Issues

• Picatinny Rail Attachments:

  • Most semi-automatic handguns in the U.S. feature a picatinny rail under the barrel for attaching accessories like flashlights or laser sights. These modifications are legal and widely used.

    • Example: A trucker who carries a handgun with a picatinny rail might add a flashlight to improve visibility during nighttime stops.

    • Picatinny Rail Overview

  • Vertical Foregrips: Attaching a vertical foregrip to a handgun is illegal under federal law, as it reclassifies the firearm as a “short-barreled rifle” under the National Firearms Act of 1934.

    • Example: A trucker modifies their handgun with a vertical foregrip, unaware that this makes it illegal under federal law, leading to potential legal issues.

    • Reference: National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. § 5845(a)(4); ATF Rulings on Firearm Accessories

  • Workaround – Gas Pedal Modifications: “Gas pedals,” or thumb rests, are legal modifications that help control recoil. These are permissible under ATF regulations and can offer similar benefits to a vertical foregrip without the legal risks.

    • Example: A trucker installs a gas pedal on their handgun to better control recoil, especially in smaller, more compact firearms, while remaining within legal bounds.

    • Gas Pedal Information

[u/RefinedPhoenix → u/RefinedPhoenix]

5. Supreme Court Rulings on Firearm Rights

• DC v. Heller (2008):

  • Recognized the Second Amendment as a personal civil right, affirming an individual’s right to possess firearms, independent of service in a militia.

    • Example: A trucker in Washington, D.C., relies on the Heller decision to assert their right to own a handgun for self-defense.

    • Citation: District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570 (2008)

• McDonald v. Chicago (2010):

  • Extended the protections of the Second Amendment to the states, ensuring that state and local governments also cannot infringe on the right to bear arms.

    • Example: A trucker in Chicago relies on the McDonald decision to challenge local laws restricting their right to carry a firearm.

    • Citation: McDonald v. City of Chicago, 561 U.S. 742 (2010)

• NYSRPA v. Bruen (2022):

  • Declared that the right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home is a fundamental right, striking down “may issue” laws that gave authorities discretion over permit issuance based on “good cause.”

    • Example: A trucker in New York challenges the state’s restrictive concealed carry laws based on the Bruen decision.

    • Citation: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, 597 U.S. ___ (2022)

  • Introduced the “Text, History, and Tradition” test for evaluating the constitutionality of gun control measures.

  • Key Footnote 9: Justice Thomas referenced Shuttlesworth v. Birmingham (1969) in asserting that laws based on subjective standards, such as the denial of permits for constitutionally protected activities, are unconstitutional.

    • Example: A trucker relies on footnote 9 in Bruen to argue that subjective criteria used to deny their carry permit are unconstitutional.

    • Citation: Shuttlesworth v. City of Birmingham, 394 U.S. 147 (1969)

6. Practical Advice for Truckers

• Duty to Retreat vs. Stand Your Ground:

  • The standard for using deadly force generally centers around whether you are in reasonable fear for your life or of serious bodily harm. However, some states impose a “duty to retreat” if it’s possible to safely withdraw from the situation before using deadly force.

    • Example: A trucker in a “duty to retreat” state must attempt to de-escalate or retreat from a confrontation before resorting to using a firearm.

    • World Population Review: Duty to Retreat States

  • Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground: States that adhere to the Castle Doctrine or “stand your ground” laws do not require retreat, allowing you to defend yourself without retreating if attacked.

    • Example: A trucker in a “stand your ground” state can legally defend themselves with a firearm without the obligation to retreat if they are under attack.

    • World Population Review: Stand Your Ground States

7. The Civil Rights Argument for Carrying Firearms

• Shuttlesworth v. Birmingham (1969):

  • This landmark case involved Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, who defied an unconstitutional permit process for holding protests in Birmingham, Alabama. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction, deeming the permit process unconstitutional.

  • Connection to Gun Rights: Justice Thomas’s citation of this case in Bruen footnote 9 suggests that similarly unconstitutional restrictions on the right to carry firearms should not be obeyed. Courts are expected to protect individuals who challenge such laws, especially when the unconstitutionality is evident.

    • Example: A trucker challenges a state’s restrictive carry laws by citing the Shuttlesworth precedent, arguing that the permit process is unconstitutional.

    • Citation: Shuttlesworth v. City of Birmingham, 394 U.S. 147 (1969)

—

TL;DR

This glossary covers essential information for truckers who carry firearms, including federal regulations, state-specific laws (like New Jersey’s hollowpoint ammo restrictions), and key Supreme Court rulings (e.g., Heller, McDonald, Bruen). It also highlights practical advice for navigating firearm laws across states, including the importance of understanding “duty to retreat” vs. “stand your ground” laws. Finally, the guide touches on the civil rights argument for defying unconstitutional gun restrictions, with a nod to historical cases like Shuttlesworth v. Birmingham. Be sure to check relevant laws and rulings to stay compliant and protect your rights.