Posing the question, "Will Gun Measure Threaten Amtrak [with] Terror Attacks," Newsweek's Michael Isikoff informed readers of a legislative battle to allow passengers aboard Amtrak to transport unloaded firearms in their checked luggage.
Isikoff pitted supporters of gun rights, particularly the National Rifle Association (NRA) against "security-minded" legislators worried about gun use in terrorist attacks on the nation's railways:
Just how much clout does the gun lobby have on Capitol Hill? This week may prove to be a crucial test: A House-Senate conference committee is about to take up a massive transportation-funding bill that is pitting advocates of gun rights against security-minded members worried about the threat of terrorist attacks on Amtrak trains. Tucked into the measure is a controversial National Rifle Association-backed amendment that would cut off $1.5 billion in subsidies to Amtrak unless the federally backed national passenger-train company reverses its post-9/11 security policies and permits train passengers to travel with handguns and other firearms as part of their checked luggage.
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"Deadly terrorist bombings of commuter trains in Madrid in 2004 and the 'commando-style' terrorist attack on a major rail station last November in Mumbai have emphasized the importance of passenger rail security in large urban areas," said Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, and Rep. Peter King, the panel's ranking Republican, in a recent letter to House conferees urging them to reject the amendment. According to Thompson and King, Amtrak has twice revised and enhanced its security policies in recent years after the Madrid and Mumbai attacks revealed a "significant firearm specific threat" from terrorists to passenger trains.
(In last year's Mumbai attacks, which Indian authorities have blamed on the Pakistani-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, 10 terrorists struck in 13 places in the city, including the city's main railway station, and killed 174 people. In the railway part of the attack, two of the terrorists indiscriminately fired at passengers with AK-47 assault rifles.)
Thompson and King argue that the new measure could make Amtrak similarly vulnerable. But NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam calls those arguments "bogus."
The implication is clear: the NRA wants a policy in place that might help terrorists commit mass murder on the Metroliner.
While he did quote let Arulanandam articulate his defense of the NRA position, Isikoff didn't consider how current security protocols for Amtrak may be insufficient to prevent an armed terrorist attack.
For example, while some passengers are randomly screened by Amtrak officials, there is no airport-style security to check passengers and/or their unchecked carry-on luggage for weapons. Passengers aboard commercial flights can be reasonably certain that the only firearms on board are securely on the person of undercover air marshals, while Amtrak's lack of screening eliminates that certainty for train passengers.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters





















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This shows how retarded
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 17:20 ET by mattmThis shows how retarded libs are. The way to prevent terrorist attacks is to arm the citizens. The way to invite attack is to disarm them.
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Franklin
Agree Matt. Seems so
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 17:30 ET by MaximusBraveheartAgree Matt. Seems so simple right? Do you make us safe by disarming the Police? No you arm them. Same with the public. Guns are the great equalizer. Criminals no longer have the upper hand and they don't like that. Therefore they are deterred or go on to a softer victim! Libs can not see such plain logic that is supported by the statistics. Concealed hand gun states have reduced crime. Strict gun control places like the UK and Australia have an ever growing violent crime problem... M-B
I think one of our Founding Fathers says it best...
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 17:41 ET by ontherightGeorge Washington: "Firearms stand next in importance to the
Constitution itself. They are the
people's liberty teeth (and) keystone... the rifle and the pistol are
equally indispensable... more than
99% of them [guns] by their silence indicate that they are in safe
and sane hands. The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere restrains evil interference [crime].
When firearms go, all goes,
we need them every hour." (Address to 1st session of Congress)
Where did we go wrong??
Great quote!!! How can
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 17:43 ET by MaximusBraveheartGreat quote!!! How can that be argued? The people that brought hope in welfare created ghettos and a crime wave. There are no short cuts... M-B
wullll stuuupid!
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 18:26 ET by Patriot IIAllow "loaded" concealed weapons on passengers and there won't be any attacks!!! And even if some dilbert tries.....he will instantly become a good guy!!!
Great quote indeed...
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 20:41 ET by JPR1Thanks ontheright, a genuine gold nugget of American history and for me it begs a question. Why, with so much to consider at such a critical time in our nations young history would Washington find it necessary to address this issue?
Were there pacifist liberals squawking even then? “We don’t need guns, the war is over!”
My guess is there were, but there were also many who understood that a man willing to defend both his security and his hard-won liberty would always be armed in some way. These folks had a sensibility and understanding of respect that is sadly lacking today.
Amtrack Armed
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 18:00 ET by AvitarSince certain people seem determined to bring people who according to the Geniva Conventions should be shot on the battle field to the United States it is certain that we are not going to get any protection from the Justice Department.
chuck schumer and sarah
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 18:51 ET by Willis_Leon_Johnsonchuck schumer and sarah brady are as responsible for every school shooting as any of the shooters are.
Without zero tolerance policies on being able to defend onesself and the students on school property as pushed by democrats and bureaucrats in school administrations across the nation, anybody with an urge to have a few moments of fame have a perfect setting.
How soon before a radical muslim terrorist packs his backpack with C4 and walks onto an AMTRAK or subway, and becomes instantly famous?
Gun Control only protects corrupt politicians and dictators.
"no matter how low you set the bar, liberals can never quite measure up." -Me
http://gjresult.com
And Rosie O.
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 19:59 ET by Dan DiegoAnd Rosie O.
forced victimization
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 06:11 ET by m1xramHeard that phrase from Ted Nugent. That's what happens when deprived of our Second Amendment. Guess liberals want us to die quickly.
He has already failed... his country.
The key phrase is "checked
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 19:57 ET by Dan DiegoThe key phrase is "checked baggage". Last time I rode the rails you didn't have access to your checked bags.
We all
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 20:01 ET by MES41067know that terrorist always follow the rules.
(Lenin called them "useful idiots" I for one have no use for them.)
Unloaded firearm. What the
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 20:33 ET by mostlymoderateUnloaded firearm. What the hell is anyone going to do with an UNLOADED FIREARM?
mm,
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 20:40 ET by R D HelmThey make great paper weights. :-^)
-Dave
Our elected representatives have failed us.
Unloaded firearm?
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 09:28 ET by HuapakechiReload.
I have one of
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 09:36 ET by dvdaughtryI have one of those--hanging up next to my screwdrivers.
You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?
What to do with an unloaded firearm?
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 09:49 ET by SickofLibsWhen you can't a shoe off fast enough, you throw it at your target.
I have an idea!
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 20:52 ET by MightyMouthOn your 18th birthday you are automatically deputized and issued a weapon! Since you will have been taught throughout school how to use one you will be more than prepared. No more "Potential Victim Zones"!
"Everybody packin' heat, the only gunlaw that will work!"--MM
Please Lord let ME run things just for a few days!
"The bureaucracy is growing to meet the needs of the growing bureaucracy"
Mighty... ...You got my
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 21:00 ET by bigtimerMighty...
...You got my vote!
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
And, as your vice
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 23:25 ET by Willis_Leon_JohnsonAnd, as your vice president, I will lower the end cost of all that military hardware by opening the United States civilian population to the weapons manufacturer as well as the second hand market by making military surplus available to the OWNERS at deeply discounted prices.
You know, the way it used to be BEFORE liberals started disarming the public.
"no matter how low you set the bar, liberals can never quite measure up." -Me
http://gjresult.com
Yes I think Switzerland is
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 09:36 ET by MaximusBraveheartYes I think Switzerland is like that. Full auto weapons issued to each male after training. I think it makes them MUCH safer. I don't hear of a crime wave in Switzerland now do you? M-B
Very interesting
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 10:33 ET by MightyMouthVery interesting read....
It seems even the Swiss are losing some of their gun right feedoms!
"The bureaucracy is growing to meet the needs of the growing bureaucracy"
This all has to do with
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 21:06 ET by mostlymoderateThis all has to do with elitism and power. Your Barbara Boxers, Feinstein's, Pelosi's, Gore's, Kennedy's, Clinton's, et. AL. will always have their protection. They travel with entourage's of body-gaurd's that possess both automatic and semi-automatic guns. Us common civilians don't get to enjoy the same privileges and we don't need guns. Only the elite need guns, like celebrities.
Sorry, but sometimes the world is a craphole with degenerate scum-bag jerks that like to rape and steal. I like carrying my gun. The founding father's granted me that privilege centuries ago and I don't need some limp-wrist panty-waste at "Newsweek" working to take that privilege away.
Spot on!
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 21:38 ET by pagg30I'd add something but it's perfect now.