Amtrak may ease rules on guns on its trains despite revelations after correspondents’ dinner, sources say
Amtrak is currently considering a controversial policy change that would allow passengers to store guns in lockboxes on most of its trains. This proposal has been met with criticism from many who argue that such a move would weaken security measures at a time when they should be strengthened, especially in the wake of the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
The idea of allowing guns on trains has been under consideration by Amtrak since early this year, reportedly due to pressure from the Trump administration to loosen restrictions on transporting firearms. Despite the recent incident involving a man who traveled by Amtrak with the intent of carrying out an attack, the railroad has not abandoned the proposal.
The man in question, Cole Tomas Allen, was arrested after attempting to breach security barricades near the event venue, leading to an exchange of gunfire with Secret Service agents. He was found to be armed with a shotgun and semiautomatic pistol that he had brought with him on an Amtrak train from California. While Amtrak’s current rules require passengers to declare their firearms and store them in locked baggage cars, it is unclear if Allen followed these regulations.
The proposed policy change would involve adding lockboxes to trains to allow passengers to bring guns on board, expanding the number of trains that permit firearms. This shift could potentially impact over 1,500 trains daily, including popular routes like the Northeast Corridor. Critics of the plan, such as John Feinblatt of Everytown for Gun Safety, argue that it would compromise safety and increase the risk of gun-related incidents.
Amtrak’s current policy mandates that firearms be declared and secured in a hard case in checked baggage. The proposed change would still require guns to be locked up on trains, with only the conductor having access to the key. However, concerns remain about how Amtrak would verify the legality of passengers carrying guns and navigate varying state laws regarding firearm possession.
Security expert Sheldon Jacobson suggests that while it may be challenging to completely eliminate guns on trains, there are opportunities to enhance screening processes and background checks for passengers. Rail unions have been advocating for stronger protections for rail workers, citing incidents like the 2017 shooting of a conductor in Illinois. Legislation is being considered to provide rail workers with similar protections to airline crews.
Despite the potential policy change, Amtrak and the Transportation Department have not yet provided official comments. The debate over allowing guns on trains reflects broader discussions around balancing security measures with passenger convenience and safety in public transportation systems.
