Fri Jan 31, 2014, 10:49 AM

marmar (70,252 posts)

TSA chief says no to arming airport screeners

On Thursday, the head of the Transportation Security Administration visited Los Angeles International Airport, the site of a Nov. 1 shooting, where he rejected the idea of arming TSA security officers.

TSA chief John Pistole visited LAX to announce the opening of an enrollment center where passengers can submit background information to apply to use faster screening lines.

When asked about the Nov. 1 shooting that killed TSA agent Gerardo Hernandez, 39, and wounded three others, Pistole said he had rejected the idea of arming TSA agents at the screening gates.

Shortly after the shooting, the union representing 45,000 federal security agents called for the creation of a class of armed TSA officers with law enforcement training and the authority to arrest people. .....................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.latimes.com/business/travel/la-fi-mo-tsa-chief-says-no-to-arming-airport-screeners-20140130,0,5174412.story#ixzz2rzX2PB3I

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6 replies	Author	Time	Post
TSA chief says no to arming airport screeners (Original post)	marmar	Jan 2014	OP
Good. Because guns and the authority to arrest people is the last things those people need.	Matariki	Jan 2014	#1
I thought some of them were already armed.	RC	Jan 2014	#2
If I'm not mistaken, Kansas City doesn't	Proles	Jan 2014	#3
Like I said, this was years ago, but I do remember the holstered guns.	RC	Jan 2014	#5
I was very close to becoming a TSA officer at DCA. I took the test and everything, but	Proles	Jan 2014	#6
Waht could possibly go wrong if they were armed??	dixiegrrrrl	Jan 2014	#4

Response to marmar (Original post)

Fri Jan 31, 2014, 10:51 AM

Matariki (18,775 posts)

1. Good. Because guns and the authority to arrest people is the last things those people need.

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Response to marmar (Original post)

Fri Jan 31, 2014, 11:22 AM

RC (25,592 posts)

2. I thought some of them were already armed.

I remember see sidearms on some TSA uniformed personal. In both North Dakota and Kansas City. And this was years ago.

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Response to RC (Reply #2)

Fri Jan 31, 2014, 12:16 PM

Proles (466 posts)

3. If I'm not mistaken, Kansas City doesn't

use TSA.

Airports can choose to be exempt as long as they employ their own comparable security force.

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Response to Proles (Reply #3)

Fri Jan 31, 2014, 02:21 PM

RC (25,592 posts)

5. Like I said, this was years ago, but I do remember the holstered guns.

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Response to Proles (Reply #3)

Fri Jan 31, 2014, 10:36 PM

Proles (466 posts)

6. I was very close to becoming a TSA officer at DCA. I took the test and everything, but

ultimately decided that I could move into a better career path.

TSO's aren't law enforcement personelle, so I don't believe they should be armed with even so much as a stun gun. Unfortunately, the TSA isn't exactly the most respected institution, and are always at risk of being shot at by crazies.

EDIT: Woops, meant to hit reply for the OP.

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Response to marmar (Original post)

Fri Jan 31, 2014, 01:00 PM

dixiegrrrrl (58,113 posts)

4. Waht could possibly go wrong if they were armed??

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