Amtrak vote in the Senate today

[jbroadglide]

I'm a member of NARP so I got this e-mail today

Help Us Defeat Anti-Amtrak Amendments Today

Wicker, Ensign to Introduce Harmful Measures on Senate Floor 
 
Dear NARP Member,

This morning (Wednesday), the Senate is expected to vote on some amendments that would affect Amtrak. 

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) proposes to eliminate funding for Amtrak effective March 30, 2010, unless the railroad accepts guns as checked baggage by that time.  One source claims this would shut down the railroad because Amtrak does not currently have "the infrastructure needed to properly secure baggage at this time."

Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) apparently is considering a hostile amendment that would eliminate unspent Amtrak funds from the current  (FY 2009) appropriations law and the Recovery Act.   "Unspent" simply reflects timing issues; Amtrak still needs the funds.  Please remind your senators of your strong support for passenger trains and urge them to vote against this and any other hostile amendments.

--Ross B. Capon,
President and CEO 


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[Lunican]

I hate how Amtrak can't be mentioned without the "federally subsidized" and "money-losing" taglines. Highways and airlines don't get those adjectives.

"Americans should not have their second amendment rights restricted for any reason, particularly if they choose to travel on America's federally subsidized rail line," said Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who made the proposal.

Wicker's amendment would deny the money-losing railroad its $1.6 billion taxpayer subsidy unless it changes the gun policy.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jy5lpZWAlHMsQHhsYdZKdcaPFjKQD9AOHMOO1

[Lunican]

"Amtrak would have six months to build a process for checking and tracking firearms. It would have to find the manpower necessary to screen and guard firearms and it would have to purchase the equipment necessary," Murray said. "If they do not comply, Amtrak will shut down."

[CS Foltz]

The term "Idiot" is not quite strong enough..........blithering Idiot has a better ring to it!

[BridgeTroll]

Does Amtrak have "checked baggage" similar to the airlines?  Not sure what the procedure is now but you could transport firearms as checked baggage with the airlines at one time.  Seems Amtrak could do the same easily enough.  IT IS a silly reason to withhold all funding to Amtrak because of this.  How about passing legislation requiring them to figure out a way to do so.

[BridgeTroll]

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm

Traveling with Special Items
Firearms & Ammunition


Photo of a firearm improperly packaged. You may only transport firearms, ammunition and firearm parts in your checked baggage. Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts are prohibited from carry-on baggage.

There are certain limited exceptions for law enforcement officers who may fly armed by meeting the requirements of Title 49 CFR § 1544.219. Law enforcement officers should read our policies on traveling with guns.

The key regulatory requirements to transporting firearms, firearm parts or ammunition in checked baggage are:

You must declare all firearms to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.
The firearm must be unloaded.
The firearm must be in a hard-sided container.
The container must be locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from access by anyone other than you. Cases that can be pulled open with little effort do not meet this criterion. The pictures provided here illustrate the difference between a properly packaged and an improperly packaged firearm.
We recommend that you provide the key or combination to the security officer if he or she needs to open the container. You should remain present during screening to take the key back after the container is cleared. If you are not present and the security officer must open the container, we or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact you. If we can't contact you, the container will not be placed on the plane. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft. TSA locks are not approved for securing firearms.
You must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
You can't use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard).
You may carry the ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as you pack it as described above.
You can't bring black powder or percussion caps used with black-powder type firearms in either your carry-on or checked baggage.

Photo of a firearm properly packaged. We and other authorities strictly enforce these regulations. Violations can result in criminal prosecution and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.

Airlines may have their own additional requirements on the carriage of firearms and the amount of ammunition that you may have in your checked baggage. Therefore, travelers should also contact the airline regarding its firearm and ammunition carriage policies.

Also, please note that many other countries have different laws that address transportation and possession of firearms. If you are traveling internationally, please check with the authorities at your destination about their requirements.

[Lunican]

Amtrak does not offer checked baggage at every station because of funding issues.

[BridgeTroll]

Thanks Lunican... I was totally unaware with how amtrak dealt with checked baggage.  If a train stops to embark or debark passengers why would it be too expensive to throw luggage into a checked baggage compartment?  I ask because I am ignorant on this...

[Lunican]

It wouldn't be too expensive if someone was there to do it, but some stations are unstaffed.



In this photo you can see the platform isn't even long enough to reach a baggage car, so they would have to do a double or even triple stop.

[jbroadglide]

ah...an Amshack

[Lunican]

I don't really care how many guns are in the baggage car, but threatening to pull funding for this reason is stupid.

[BridgeTroll]

I agree.  I would think a reasonable compromise would be to allow firearms transport at facilities that CAN support it and not allow it at facilities that cannot.  Once again... I do not know Amtraks current policy regarding firearm transport.  Is ALL transport under ALL circumstances banned.  If so this seems to be a bit unreasonable also.

[JeffreyS]

BT somehow that just seems too reasonable.

[BridgeTroll]

Here we go...

Prohibited Items

The following kinds of items are prohibited as both checked and carry-on baggage:

Any type of gun, firearm, ammunition, explosives, or weapon.
Incendiaries, including flammable gases, liquids and fuels.
Large, sharp objects such as axes, ice picks and swords.
Corrosive or dangerous chemicals or materials, such as liquid bleach, tear gas, mace, radioactive and harmful bacteriological materials.
Batteries with acid that can spill or leak (except those batteries used in motorized wheelchairs or similar devices for mobility-impaired passengers).
Club-like items, such as billy clubs and nightsticks.
Fragile and/or valuable items, including but not limited to electronic equipment. (Laptop computers and handheld devices may be carried onboard; however, Amtrak accepts no liability for damage.)
Animals (except service animals).
Oversized and/or overweight items.
Please note: This is not an exhaustive list. Any item similar to those listed, even if not specifically mentioned here, is prohibited from being carried onboard or checked as baggage.

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Title_Image_Copy_Page&c=am2Copy&cid=1080080553878&ssid=195

[BridgeTroll]

I dont understand why trains have a problem with unloaded, locked in a case, locked in checked baggage, firearms and airlines do not.  Now I am MORE than curious... What is up with that??