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Amtrak to become gun-friendly?
Thanks to a Senate vote on Wednesday, Amtrak is a step closer to becoming the nation's gun-friendly travel alternative. The proposal was approved by a vote of 68 to 30 and would allow passengers to take firearms with them on trains – as long as they declare that they are doing so. The firearms also have to be unloaded and locked in a container.
Of course, Amtrak is, so to speak, being held at gunpoint on this bill. If it does not change its gun policy, the railroad would lose its $1.6 billion government subsidy, thanks to some wheeling and dealing by Mississippi's Senator Roger Wicker.
The current policy, which prohibits travel with weapons, was implemented following the terror attacks on Madrid's passenger trains in 2004. Wicker cites the importance of second amendment rights in pushing for the change in policy.
Opponents of the bill say that it would be too costly to allow firearms on trains, particularly since Amtrak doesn't have the security measures and equipment in place to manage the change. Putting it into place would be too expensive.
A House version of the bill, which passed, doesn't include the gun measures, and the two proposals have yet to be reconciled.
Filed under: North America, United States, News
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
john Sep 17th 2009 3:30PM
The wing nuts cling to their guns and religion whilst their grandparents die because blue cross denies their health claims for diabetes medicine. When will they spend time on things that matter (like healthcare reform)? I think you should be check a locked, packed gun on Amtrak like you do on airplanes, but why is the Senate involved in something so trivial? Maybe they can spend time debating the merits of Fluoride in water next?
Catie Sep 18th 2009 8:46PM
I am trying to understand why a law is needed to allow guns on the train when there is no security to even check for these items. I recently rode an Amtrak train and could have carried anything I wanted on to that train. There was absolutely no security checks at the station where I boarded the train. This was my first train ride since 9-11 and was shocked that my bags nor I were put through some type of security check before boarding. So this is confusing that lawmakers would pass a law to allow guns when no one is bothering to check for them.
Zach Sep 17th 2009 9:13PM
While I'm against guns, period, this move isn't surprising--they can be packed on airplanes.
Trevor Sep 18th 2009 9:58AM
I think this is a bad plan for society. We have to many guns available o the public as is not including the ones on the street. Most people have more problems when you bring in a firearm to protect yourself. Most people use bad judgment when they are pressured or scared and in turn you have more accidental shootings and on purpose shootings, I think they need to resend the issue and consider the problems that may and more then likely occur. http://www.rainbowofluv.com
Randel Sep 18th 2009 10:18PM
First you should go back to the second grade to learn how to read AND write. Second you try using facts. We, who have obtained our licenses to carry a firearm don't make these mistakes that you have cited. If so, please cite them for me. As for too many firearms, firearms out number automobiles and trucks combined in this country. If, as you claim, these mistakes are so rampant, then explain to me how we thousands upon thousands more deaths from auto accidents each year. A simple stastical check on these facts is available on your computer. Make sure you use your big boy words and spell them correctly when enquiring.
Kent Sep 18th 2009 11:48PM
I always enjoy reading these comments. My IQ is 42, just high enough that my heart and lungs work, but reading these, makes me feel like a genius. At first, I was planning to award one of the posters for the most inane, poorly written and completely misinformed post, but it turned out to be a 100-way tie, so I had to give up on that idea. Well, gotta get back to what I do best: breathe in, thump thump, breathe out, thump thump...
J Sep 19th 2009 12:37AM
That's "INquiring," first of all. Second of all, you might want to review your own post and some of your sentence structure. It's lacking (i.e. "how we thousands and thousands...").
Please do not lecture on the uses of proper grammar if you are unable to hold yourself to the same pristine standards. Thanks!
GUNS EQUAL DEATH. They kill or harm ALL the wrong people. They promote VIOLENCE.
Put that up your pipe and smoke it, Grammar Boy.
Dirty Logic Sep 19th 2009 2:24AM
Guns don't kill people. People kill people. Without guns, we would do the same. Personally, I feel safe knowing I live in a country where I have a right to defend myself from the cops and the criminals. If those were the only two groups allowed to carry guns, the world would be a scary place indeed. Our forefathers knew exactly what they allowed us this right. It's a damn shame that it's a crime to carry them in the street or in a vehicle. That is not the right to bear arms, that's the right to protect your home. What about your family when you're on vacation or even going to the local grocery store? Essentially, I've made an error in my previous statement, since we do live in a world where only cops and crooks are allowed to CARRY guns.
On that note, maybe I'd feel safer in Arizona.
Dimensio Sep 18th 2009 1:29PM
The blog author has failed to mention that this proposal will only allow firearms to be checked with baggage, as is currently allowed on airline flights, and will not permit individuals to carry firearms on their person when traveling on an Amtrak train. This omission is unsurprising, however, as advocates of civilian disarmament are frequently both irrational and dishonest.
Marsha Sep 18th 2009 8:39PM
I went on Amtrak. Bags weren't checked, they were stored at the end of the car in an open shelf where anyone could get them.
Joe Sep 18th 2009 4:41PM
As an gun owner, and avid rights activist I can say this this, 98% of places I go I have a loaded and concealed pistol on me. Care to take a guess as to how many accidents I've had or how many people I've shot?
It took a great deal of time and money in addition to extensive certification courses for me to obtain a permit to do so.
What worries me is the fact that more deaths happen every day due to automobile crashes than gun violence in a year. To the extremists out there, why not ban cars since they are clearly a greater threat?
An unloaded weapon locked in a case poses no more threat than a suitcase filled with teddy bears.
Merrily Sep 18th 2009 8:43PM
Joe, you must be an idiot. You may not have shot or killed anyone, but what if someone took your gun from you and opened fire in a crowded train?
Ken Sep 18th 2009 9:02PM
No, Joe. The extremist is the guy who "packs his gun with him to 98% of the places he goes to." Others are just trying to make things safe FOR OTHERS TOO. Your blatantly false analogy of guns and cars is ridiculous. Cars are intended to move people and things and only incidentally kill people. Guns are intended to ... kill things. There is a big difference. The problem with guns is that once a person has one he can think of all sorts of reasons and situations in which he might need one. The person who doesn't have one rarely thinks of any situation in which he needs one. In other words the non-gun owner is a little more resourceful, courageous, and just downright sensible than the gun owner. S/HE"S NOT SCARED. Scared people are dangerous people.
Merrily Sep 18th 2009 8:40PM
Well, that's it for me and Amtrak. I would never knowingly want to be in a "TUBE" with a wacko with a gun.
Marsha Sep 18th 2009 8:41PM
republican congress consistently votes against Amtrak because of money. All it would take is one incident, then they will have to hire alot of security, and probably close those convenient stations.
Europeans must think we are nuts.
whinymuslims Sep 18th 2009 9:42PM
who gives a fuck what europeans think?
Cire Sep 18th 2009 9:14PM
Amtrak has hundreds of unmanned (no security) train stops around the U.S.A. Passengers can enter, with their concealed weapons, at these places; no problem! There's no bomb sniffing dog random searches on trains before arriving at stations! What does the office of homeland security think of this? Do they think it's secure? Don't they remember train bombings in Madrid and London a couple of years back?
wiseowl Sep 24th 2009 5:36PM
I can understand why one may want to take a gun on the train because there is absolutely no SECURITY. Like one commenter said take-on bagis are on shelves in the open, and I want to add there is no way to secure your private room when you leave it to go to dining car, etc. Last time I used the train two women tried to enter my handicap room. I happened to be inside (had not gone to dining car) and saw the door handle move. I immediately got up and opened the door to see two stunned women there. Don't know what they wanted because they took off. That is an unsettling feeling. I have written to Amtrak several times about the lack of security on our trains. I remember when we did ride the trains without needing to worry about theives or people who take advantage of your privacy; but times have changed and people are different. Just like you can no longer leave the doors to your home unlocked; it's frightening to try to stop at a Rest Stop -- it is now unsafe to ride the train the way we used to. People of this era don't believe there really used to be 'good old days when people had integrity, respected the rights of others, and did not wish to do harm others. I also remember back in the great depression that you didn't have to be afraid of people who were hungry and down on their luck. When strangers used to stop at our house and ask for something to eat, my Mom would invite them in and make a fresh hot meal for them. They would eat the meal, thank us, and move on without harming us. I do not advise that anyone try that in today's world.
exoticdoc2 Sep 18th 2009 9:32PM
That is NOT being a gun friendly travel method. You can take a gun on a plane, as well, if it is unloaded, locked away in your checked luggage, and declared. It is useless in either event in case of emergency.
whinymuslims Sep 18th 2009 9:43PM
i always carry a weapon,except on the plane, i will not be a victim even if liberals want to victimized,stupid like animals!