Amtrak Allows Guns Onboard

Congressgave Amtrak passengers the right to carry guns in their checked luggage as part of a multibillion-dollar federal spending package giving money to both transportation and housing. Amtrak now has a year to implement the new directive.

The law, sponsored and penned by Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss, was said to be important for attracting hunters to the rails. "This is an important victory for sportsmen and gun owners across the country, and it affirms congressional support of the Second Amendment," Wickers said.
His colleague, Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., disagreed by saying, "It is no secret that rail systems are an attractive target for terrorists. . . . We've been fortunate that no such attacks have occurred on U.S. soil."

While I understand how some people don't want their gun ownership eroded, I don't understand how allowing guns on a passenger train is somehow a victory for anyone. Yes, some people may carry guns in their checked luggage on airlines, but security there is much stricter than at an Amtrak station (no metal detectors or taking one's shoes off.) If guns will be allowed, Amtrak has to be ready to do background checks, check federal databases and even confiscate weapons. That means a permanent police or security presence at all train stations and probably expensive new training.

So far, it's looking like that $2.5 billion that just got OK'd for Amtrak may not be going to improve or expand lines, but to expand and improve security. In this ridiculous case of porkbarrel politics, one senator's pet project has probably rendered a bill that could have improved routes and revitalized or created new train stations completely useless.