Senate gun bill may jeopardize Amtrak
The Senate voted 68-30 Sept. 16 to approve a proposal that will allow Amtrak passengers to carry firearms in their checked luggage. The proposal must still pass through the House of Representatives before it becomes law. If passed, the bill will present many difficulties for Amtrak and may result in the end of the company’s services, Thomas C. Carper, Amtrak chairman of the board, said in a letter to members of the Senate. Amtrak would have six months to comply with the requirements or lose its $1.6 billion federal subsidy. Amtrak depends on this funding to keep its trains running. Before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, passengers riding Amtrak were able to carry unloaded, locked firearms. After the attacks, Amtrak banned the carrying of firearms completely. Steve Kulm, director of Media Relations at Amtrak, said the company should be able to access its full appropriation.
