Armed Polite Society
Main Forums => Politics => Topic started by: Angel Eyes on December 11, 2009, 04:00:28 PM
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http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/congress-passengers-bring-guns-amtrak-trains/story?id=9290167
On Tuesday night Congressional negotiators reached an agreement that the final version of a transportation bill would include an amendment that restores the right of Amtrak travelers to pack their firearms in checked baggage.
National Rifle Association spokesman Andrew Arulanandam said his organization was pleased. "I think it's a major step forward," Arulanandam told ABC News.
Members of the House Homeland Security Committee had previously expressed concern that allowing guns on Amtrak would heighten the risk of terror attacks like those on trains and train stations in Europe and India.
After 9/11, Amtrak had barred passengers from bringing guns on trains. This Sept., Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., attached an amendment to a transportation funding bill that made $1.5 billion in Amtrak funds contingent on once again allowing train travelers to transport firearms in checked baggage. The Wicker Amendment passed the Senate by 68 to 30. In a statement Wednesday, Wicker called in the inclusion of the amendment in the final version of the transportation bill "an important victory for sportsmen and gun owners across the country."
[More at the link]
It's a piece of semi-good news. Allowing passengers to have firearms in their carry-on bags would be better. It's not like someone is going to hijack a train . . .
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I haven't seen any magnetometers at Amtrak check in stations, or Greyhound for that matter. All I ever had was a carry-on when traveling Amtrak during college and I don't remember the check-in process, but I wasn't terribly intimidated by security procedures in place.
More of a "Scouts' Honor" system.
Haven't taken a train ride since 1999, though. We don't have an Amtrak depot in Phoenix. You have to go up to Prescott to catch the train. Kinda dumb, IMO.
I'd ride it for regional trips instead of flying. No TSA? Heck, yeah.
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I don't remember the check-in process, but I wasn't terribly intimidated by security procedures in place.
In places like Malta MT, there is no security procedure. The train station looks just about like what you see in western movies, except the train looks newer and there are cars parked nearby instead of horses and carraiges.
Everything is carry-on also.
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I haven't seen any magnetometers at Amtrak check in stations, or Greyhound for that matter. All I ever had was a carry-on when traveling Amtrak during college and I don't remember the check-in process, but I wasn't terribly intimidated by security procedures in place.
That's my recollection as well, but my last Amtrak trip was before 9/11/01.
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We took the choo choo from Johnstown PA to Chicago 2 weeks ago
There is more security at the library.
There were brochures about dog patrols but we saw nothing that would have inhibited
bringing aboard anything that would fit in a 28x14x14 carry on.
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Members of the House Homeland Security Committee had previously expressed concern that allowing guns on Amtrak would heighten the risk of terror attacks like those on trains and train stations in Europe and India.
You'd have to be an idiot to believe such a thing.
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My vegan, Obama is too conservative, auntie took the train from Philly down to DC over Thanksgiving, reported with irritation the lackluster security theater, as in they used to have the dog sniff the bags, now the dog just sits there! Intel is intel, no matter the source. =D
I had a Spyderco Native II that went though 8 metal detectors with me in the post 9/11 world. Mainly out of spite since I had bought the thing specifically to have an airline legal knife. ;/ It even flew to Europe with me. Then some prick co-worker decided that personal desk drawers were fair game for thievery.
Two most shocking moments in post 9/11 security theater for me:
1. I toss my swiss army knife in the change dish. The flight was gov chartered, I honestly thought pocketknives were still okay there. Not so, but they let me go stick it in my checked seabag which is already on the flightline, escorted by a 50 yr old lady half my size. Smooth move. Of course, the aforementioned Spyderco was in the change dish too, albeit in the wallet.
2. I walk into the courthouse to pay a ticket. Metal detector lights up like a Christmas tree. I say "It's the boots." Guard waves handheld over the tips of my steel toes, sends me on my way. Jedi mind trick 1, security 0. I think I could have had an MG42 in my pants and got by him. :laugh:
So, given the complete lack of effort Amcrash shows to even attempt good security theater I'd say you are on your own with regard to staying safe.
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Dogs? Ha.
Currently at the Savidor train station in Tel-Aviv, they have all incoming passengers go through metal detectors, and their bags X-rayed.
There are also personnel with dogs on the sidewalk outside for reasons I cannot fathom.
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In places like Malta MT, there is no security procedure. The train station looks just about like what you see in western movies, except the train looks newer and there are cars parked nearby instead of horses and carraiges.
Everything is carry-on also.
There are trains out here? For... passengers? :O =D
Do please tell me more.
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In places like Malta MT, there is no security procedure. The train station looks just about like what you see in western movies, except the train looks newer and there are cars parked nearby instead of horses and carraiges.
Like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAcBlMR3wGM
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Rode the "Empire Builder" (Seattle to Chicago) on Wednesday.
There were Security Procedures ??
I paid $60 to UPS to ship my pistol in pieces, in two separate packages, back to myself, because I follow the rules. Where's the bang head smilie ??
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I had a Spyderco Native II that went though 8 metal detectors with me in the post 9/11 world. Mainly out of spite since I had bought the thing specifically to have an airline legal knife. ;/ It even flew to Europe with me. Then some prick co-worker decided that personal desk drawers were fair game for thievery.
"Airline Legal Knife?"
Last I heard, a spork wasn't airline legal.
And, how does a Native II get through a metal detector? It appears to have a steel blade of some sort. AUS-10 according to what I can find. It ain't a ceramic blade.
And... given a ceramic bladed knife, doesn't the liner lock or other components of the complete knife set off the metal detector?
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I got the thing in, I think, July 2001. Big fail that was. I think the Kyocera knives are deliberately given some metal content to trip detectors. Off to knap my pile of obsidian...
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I know a Spyderco Delica goes right through the metal detectors at Cedar Point. So I've heard.
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I guess I never knew guns were verboten on Amtrak. I used to ride the Empire Builder from Spokane to Browning MT on a regular basis while carrying my CC pistol on my hip where it belongs. There was never any security at either end of the ride.
Only later did I find out Montana has a law prohibiting the carry of guns on trains.
Guns on Trains
45-8-339. Carrying firearms on train -- penalty. (1) Except as authorized by the management of a railroad, it is unlawful for a person not authorized to carry a weapon in the course of his official duties to knowingly or purposely carry or transport firearms on a train in this state unless, prior to boarding, the person has delivered all firearms and ammunition, if any, to the operator of the train.
(2) A person violating this section shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding 6 months, or both.
bob
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You are wanded before you're allowed to board the train? ???
Even worse, before going on the bloody bus? ???
Odd country. ???
Carried a total of three knives upon my person when I went down to Gothenburg this Thursday, and also a Mag Lite in my backpack. Left the brass knucks at home though. No security checkpoint, no wanding, no nothing. Just board and find yer seat.
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(waves gun)
"All right, you pusillanimous pukes, I'm taking this here train to Albequerque!"
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There are trains out here? For... passengers? :O =D
Do please tell me more.
The Empire Builder roughly follows Highway 2 across the "Highline".
It's a 300+ mile round trip from where I live to the nearest train station :(
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(waves gun)
"All right, you pusillanimous pukes, I'm taking this here train to Albequerque!"
Albequerque! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q29JSyIVd7E) [tinfoil] [popcorn]
edit: hah! they had to split it, part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbs7f72Srok) ???
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The Empire Builder roughly follows Highway 2 across the "Highline".
It's a 300+ mile round trip from where I live to the nearest train station :(
Close enough to have stopped by for dinner then, except I was also in Minnesota at the time..... =D
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I liked the Alaska Railroad. =)
At Talkeetna, we just handed uncased rifles and shotguns up to the baggage car along with our backpacks.
But that was thirty years ago ???