What is Lyft’s Gun Policy?

Recently we at ConcealedCarry.com took a look at ride-sharing giant Uber's policy towards firearms, and due to our findings, readers inquired about alternatives to the company. That's why today we're going to take a look at Uber's biggest competitor in the market, Lyft.

Lyft Gun Policy

Lyft's Firearms / Weapons Policy —

I'll come right out and say it. Lyft has an issue with the second amendment. Lyft has been seen historically as an even more anti-gun company than Uber. Believe it or not, there is a 2015 New Republic article that even praised Uber for allowing drivers to carry and reprimanded Lyft for not allowing the same.

Stated very clearly on Lyft's website is their “Weapons Policy,” which uses some quite blatant verbiage.

Lyft has a strict “No Weapons” policy for all of its properties. This includes Lyft Hubs and service centers.
Our “No Weapons” policy applies when you are doing business as a representative of Lyft, which includes times that you are driving for Lyft, as well as times that you are visiting a Lyft Hub.
This means that even in places where it is legal to carry a weapon, we ask that you do not carry a weapon on any Lyft property.
We approach this from a community perspective. It's hard to know what someone else is or isn't comfortable with. The mere presence of a weapon might make another community member distressed and fear for his or her own personal safety.
At a minimum, a “weapon” includes any form of firearm. There are many items that could be considered weapons besides firearms, such as handguns, stun guns, explosives, knives, sling shots and tasers. Lyft reserves sole judgment on what else may constitute a “weapon.”  If you have any questions about whether various items could be considered a “weapon” under this policy, please contact Lyft Support before bringing any questionable items onto Lyft property.
Note: The general policy above does not apply to authorized security personnel contracted or employed by Lyft or to law enforcement personnel.
If you witnessed possession of a weapon in a Lyft vehicle, please let us know by tapping ‘Contact Support' below.
*The above is Lyft's policy as of the writing of this article.

 

lyft driver and guns

Here is one story of a Lyft driver who defended themselves against an attacker by using a handgun. Lyft fired her.

Can riders conceal carry —

Lyft's policy addresses those representing Lyft, not the passenger directly.

However, it appears that the company sees guns as a nuisance more than an assistance. Of course, the company has the right to implement a prohibition against guns. And they could have stated something straightforward like- We don't allow Lyft drivers to carry firearms. But they went further.

The mere presence of a weapon might make another community member distressed and fear for his or her own personal safety.

The people who craft policies at Lyft wanted to make sure that their no gun policy wasn't because of a problem with drivers shooting customers. And drivers weren't waiving guns around, demanding the passenger give them a good rating. Nope, including the statement about the sight of a gun causing “distress” shows that they aren't just prohibiting guns because they are erring on the side of caution. The policy is the way it is because guns are scary and only used to harm people.

And the policy goes further than just explaining the driver can't carry a handgun. When Lyft says the driver can't have a “weapon” of any kind, they say that if you drive for Lyft, you don't have the right to self-defense. Or, at the very least, want to ensure that anyone who decides to attack a Lyft driver has a distinct advantage even if they have only a tactical pen.

lyft gun policy

Should you carry a gun in a Lyft —

For the driver- your life is likely more important than any particular job. Lyft may fire you if you defend yourself with a handgun, but you'll be alive.

For the passenger, I would avoid using Lyft. However, if you do use the service while armed and it's discovered you're armed, the company could ban you from using their services in the future. I don't know about you, but that's a risk I would be willing to take.

Here is the takeaway —

Lyft doesn't have a policy banning the rider from carrying a handgun. However, the company is clearly not a fan of the Second Amendment.

For anyone looking for a ride service that won't stick their nose into our second amendment rights, we have to look somewhere beyond Uber and Lyft.

Here are just a few news stories of Lyft drivers using a handing to defend themselves against attacks.

What do you think of this story? Do you know of any ride-sharing organizations that are not anti-gun companies? Let us know in the comments below.

About Matthew Maruster

I follow my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who is the eternal co-equal Son of God. I currently live in Columbus, Ohio with my wife and daughter. I served in the Marine Corps Infantry. I was a Staff Sergeant and served as a Platoon Sergeant during combat in Iraq. After I was a police officer at a municipal agency in San Diego County. I have a Bachelors's Degree in Criminal Justice from National University. MJ Maruster Defense.

12 Comments

  1. Morgan Pierson on October 21, 2018 at 8:20 am

    I’m both a uber and lyft driver. You can carry in uber, but they leave it up to state rules and regulations, and they leave it as gray as possible. Lyft in the other hand won’t even allow pepper spray. All someone has to do to get a driver fired is say they have something, doesn’t matter if it’s true or not, or at least that how they make it seem. But my car my life, I will keep carrying, protecting my and my passengers.
    EDC-SOG escape, S&W Bodyguard and pepper spray.

  2. Jason on December 18, 2018 at 5:51 pm

    Sooo does LYFT own the cars that their employees are driving? Wow. I thought both UBER and LYFT were businesses that were operated by individual auto owners driving their OWN PERSONAL VEHICLES. So as a customer it should be different…as long as you are not representing LYFT or at the hub or service center…aside from that, keep it covered, nobody needs to know it exists until it is in use.

    • John Week on July 28, 2019 at 11:10 pm

      Hey I rather have a legally armed driver than a lyft don’t care company. Why? You have driver who is also an armed security for a price of one!! He or she will protect you. For free!!!!!

  3. Timothy on January 18, 2019 at 5:46 pm

    I live in one of the worse cities in our country, Baltimore. So if I have a female pic on my lyft app as a customer that I have to get. I arrive there and it’s a couple of guys who appears to be up to no good, I’m supposed to have a Alice in wonderland prospective and get my car took or worse my life? Yeah right!!!

  4. Fredo on February 22, 2019 at 10:31 am

    I couldn’t care less what their “policy” is. I will be carrying when I drive.

  5. Diaz on July 6, 2021 at 9:46 pm

    The mere presence crap is Nuisance. What is the mere presence can make someone actually second think before doing something to your employee, Lyft. And since when we have to deny rights for the comfort of others, aaaaaand the second amendment say bare arms not just guns. Like a Chainsaw skillet hanging rope number one knife etc. etc.
    give me a solid reason don’t feed me crap. Its been know the mere presence works for good not for what you claim Lyft

  6. Bob Ambrose on October 5, 2022 at 10:06 am

    So Lyft has broadcasted nationwide “If you want to carjack someone, pick a Lyft driver”. Insane !!!!

  7. CARY on January 10, 2023 at 1:23 am

    LYFTS NO WEAPONS POLICY IS ONKY ENFORCEABLE ON THEIR OWN PROPERTY. DRIVERS ARE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS LEGALLY THE WEAPONS POLICY CANNOT BE IMPOSED ON ANYONES PRIVATE PROPERTY

  8. MR Jerome on June 26, 2023 at 3:43 pm

    Yes a week ago a black car pulled I front of my on 11 street SE DC, a young 4ft male got out of that car with a gun pointed at me.

    Immediately put my car in reverse and speed to find a police, which I did. And now I don’t fill safe without a concealed carry. I live in Maryland and is very serious about getting a concealed carry. I’m going to get one my life is more important than Lyft. Drivers should able to protect their self.

  9. S S on September 7, 2023 at 7:44 am

    You have many typos in this article, I do support self defense gun rights

  10. BIll Carey on October 11, 2023 at 8:33 am

    As a lyft customer. Can I carry my unloaded firearm with barrel protector and magazines in a gun case to and from gun range in texas
    Thank YOU

  11. Jay on October 26, 2023 at 4:46 am

    I live in Florida. Lyft and Uber can kiss my ass, take their liberal policies, and shove them where the light does not hit them—my vehicle, my life—not theirs. They are all worried that they will lose money if liberal riders start complaining about drivers being armed. As far as I am concerned Uber and Lyft provide a product in the form of a digital application, and they don’t employ drivers nor own the driver’s vehicle, so both can go to hell.

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