Amtrak: All Aboard -- And Bring Your Guns

rockin'robin

rockin'robin

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Amtrak Passengers Can Bring Firearms On Trains Starting Dec. 15

Starting December 15, Amtrak will allow passengers to travel with unloaded guns on trains. The new policy, a reversal of a ban in effect since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, is backed by conservatives and the National Rifle Association, and blasted by critics as costly and unsafe.

"Once this takes effect," said Daniel Vice, senior attorney for the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, "you would be able to check, for example, a dozen AK-47s onto an Amtrak train -- and once they're on there, the baggage car's not secure like a cargo hold of an airplane."

Starting in two weeks, train travelers will be able to check handguns, shotguns, rifles and starter pistols at stations that offer checked baggage service, including the stations in New York, Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

The guns must be unloaded and in approved locked hard-sided containers and passengers must declare their firearms and notify Amtrak 24 hours in advance. In addition, reservations that include firearms must be made over the phone.

Andrew Arulanandam, Director of Public Affairs for the NRA, says that anyone who thinks the new provision compromises the security of passengers is "making a bogus assertion."


"We think it's reasonable for people who choose to travel by rail to be able to transport a firearm for whatever lawful purpose," said Arulanandam.

Senator Roger Wicker, the Mississippi Republican who proposed lifting the ban, says he believes the original ban was unnecessary to begin with. "I think it was an overreaction based on I think some incorrect attitudes on the part of Amtrak and their leadership after 9/11 and frankly I think it was anti-gun, anti-hunter, anti-sportsman and unfair."

Guns on Amtrak Trains - ABC News
 
ah it's about time. good work, NRA but still a lot more work to go. I believe its new rule is still ineffective, unnecessary, and a headache - the part about notifying Amtrak 24hrs in advance and making reservation over phone. It improves nothing but only creates a costly mess for Amtrak staff.

Bradley Center needs to kindly stfu. who in the god's name would bring a dozen of ak-47 and for what purpose? if a terrorist wants to transport that much guns for malicious purpose, they can just not declare it to Amtrak. :roll: ...... and the terrorists don't take Amtrak for transporting arms. :roll:

Bradley Center never ceases to amaze me with its fallacious logic.
 
It isn't still very gun friendly policy to me.

I prefer to drive the car over ride the train.
 
there is no "anti-gun, anti-sportsman" about the gun ban. It did NOT ban you to have gun, you just have to put it in a locked comparment.

Sports requires you to be outside. Train is not a sport. Anti-gun implies no guns at all on train and that's false.
 
netrox said:
there is no "anti-gun, anti-sportsman" about the gun ban. It did NOT ban you to have gun, you just have to put it in a locked comparment.

Sports requires you to be outside. Train is not a sport. Anti-gun implies no guns at all on train and that's false.
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The Second Amendment is about the right to bear arms for reasons other than just sports. A gun locked up and unloaded in a compartment certainly couldn't be used for self defense, for instance.
 
Jiro said:
ah it's about time. good work, NRA but still a lot more work to go. I believe its new rule is still ineffective, unnecessary, and a headache - the part about notifying Amtrak 24hrs in advance and making reservation over phone. It improves nothing but only creates a costly mess for Amtrak staff.

Bradley Center needs to kindly stfu. who in the god's name would bring a dozen of ak-47 and for what purpose? if a terrorist wants to transport that much guns for malicious purpose, they can just not declare it to Amtrak. :roll: ...... and the terrorists don't take Amtrak for transporting arms. :roll:

Bradley Center never ceases to amaze me with its fallacious logic.
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Brady Center.
 
what kind of guns is this about? long guns seems reasonable. but pistol permits are good for only the issuing state.
 
Reba said:
The Second Amendment is about the right to bear arms for reasons other than just sports. A gun locked up and unloaded in a compartment certainly couldn't be used for self defense, for instance.
Click to expand...

With your logic, I demand adult materials to be displayed and any vulgar words be used anytime in public without being fined because the First Amendment is about the right to have freedom of speech.
 
i am leery about changing states with a handgun after having one taken away in a neighboring state
 
netrox said:
With your logic, I demand adult materials to be displayed and any vulgar words be used anytime in public without being fined because the First Amendment is about the right to have freedom of speech.
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ain't logic. it's the law
 
netrox said:
With your logic, I demand adult materials to be displayed and any vulgar words be used anytime in public without being fined because the First Amendment is about the right to have freedom of speech.
Click to expand...
No, that's not the same logic at all.
 
netrox said:
there is no "anti-gun, anti-sportsman" about the gun ban. It did NOT ban you to have gun, you just have to put it in a locked comparment.

Sports requires you to be outside. Train is not a sport. Anti-gun implies no guns at all on train and that's false.
Click to expand...

oh really?

since DC gun ban law has been struck down... there's an even more ridiculous gun law for legal gun owners. They are required to dissemble it. In case of home defense, the police will check if the homeowners have already dissembled it in the first place or not :roll:
 
No metal detectors or government goons groping passengers on Amtrak?

This is a serious question; I've never ridden Amtrak.
 
Chevy57 said:
No metal detectors or government goons groping passengers on Amtrak?

This is a serious question; I've never ridden Amtrak.
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nope but there will be a random search especially at busiest and biggest station like NYC Grand Central Station or Penn Station.

Amtrak's fun.
 
Jiro said:
nope but there will be a random search especially at busiest and biggest station like NYC Grand Central Station or Penn Station.

Amtrak's fun.
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Random search meaning people touching you?
 
Bottesini said:
Random search meaning people touching you?
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I'm going to assume it's exactly like random search at NYC Port Authority -

1. inspecting your bags
2. chemical test (they take a swab of your jacket or bag and run it thru computer for bomb/drug/etc.)
3. hand-wand inspection

I don't think there was a pat-down. that procedure may or may not changed but I haven't been to Port Authority in a long while because I ride to work.
 
here's more information I found -

Amtrak - Plan - Tickets, ID, Safety & Security - Safety & Security
Security Matters at Amtrak

Amtrak has in place a range of behind-the-scenes and front-line security measures aimed at improving passenger rail security, some of which are conducted on an unpredictable or random basis.

Among these security measures, passengers may notice any of the following in stations or aboard trains:

Uniformed police officers and Mobile Security Teams
Random passenger and carry-on baggage screening
K-9 units
Checked baggage screening
On-board security checks
Identification checks
As part of our security strategy, randomly selected passengers and their baggage, handbags, backpacks or other personal items may be screened or inspected. The inspection will be completed as quickly as possible - usually less than a minute - in a manner designed to respect passengers' privacy as much as possible. Passengers failing to consent to security procedures will be denied access to trains and refused carriage, and a refund will be offered.

While in the station or on board a train, please remember:

Be aware of your surroundings.
Keep your personal items secure and in close proximity. Laptop computers, PDA devices, portable music players, wallets, digital cameras, etc. are easy targets for pickpockets.
Do not approach or pet police dogs.
Report any suspicious activity or unattended luggage by notifying Amtrak Police, personnel or by calling 1-800-331-0008.
We thank you for your cooperation in helping keep our rail system safe and secure.

Remember, if you See Something, Say Something.
Click to expand...

Personal Safety

Onboard Safety
While onboard any Amtrak train please note the following for a safer and more enjoyable trip:

Use seat backs and handrails while walking through the train.
Watch your step when boarding and leaving the train.
Watch your step moving from car to car while the train is in motion, as the vestibules can be slippery.
Be sure to step over the gap between the train and platform.
Leave personal food items and baggage at your seat.
Wear shoes at all times and use caution when wearing shoes without rubber soles.
Never attempt to board or exit a moving train.
Make sure you familiarize yourself with the safety card found in most seat backs.
Safety at the Station
While in any Amtrak station please note the following for a safer more enjoyable trip:

Arrive at least 30 minutes before your train is due to depart.
Check-in early to arrange for pre-boarding if you need extra time or assistance.
Watch your step on station stairs, escalators, and train platforms.
Please stand back from the edge of the platform.
Help children when boarding and leaving the train.
Take care when crossing the gap between the train and platform.
Use only Red Cap agents to help you with your baggage.
Please report any suspicious behavior to police, Amtrak Police or station personnel
Click to expand...
 
netrox said:
With your logic, I demand adult materials to be displayed and any vulgar words be used anytime in public without being fined because the First Amendment is about the right to have freedom of speech.
Click to expand...
Here's the better logic comparison:

The First Amendment is about the right to free speech for reasons other than just pornography. Books locked up and with blank pages in a library certainly couldn't be used for sharing information or ideas, for instance.

Using your analogy for guns and the Second Amendment would be:

I demand guns be carried and used anytime in public without being fined because the Second Amendment is about the right to bear arms.


See? I didn't say that, did I?
 
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