Process begun to coerce Amtrak to allow passengers to check firearms.
Per the Amtrak website on baggage:
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.
I found this by surprise when I was planning a trip and considering using the train because of the convenience of the Amtrak terminal to my work. Needless to say, this ended my trip plans immediately. Apparently guns on planes are ok, but, just not acceptable on trains — even in checked baggage. This was a change in policy, apparently in response to 9/11.
Well.. The Senate just passed a resolution to have Amtrak allow people to carry on firearms in their checked baggage. Since Amtrak is a private company, the government can’t just force Amtrak to change their policy…. But, what the resolution did do was say that Amtrak would be ineligible for certain federally available funds unless they changed their policy — this typically works. Woo Hoo! Now just thru the Assembly and I might be able to take a train again..
