Senator Wicker Should Butt OUT!
The U.S. Senate is gearing up for a vote on the Obama Administration’s proposed budget for the fiscal year 2010.
And today, Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi has come up with an amendment to the bill that would require Amtrak by law to transport firearms in checked baggage. (For many years, Amtrak did allow that, but changed the policy following the 9/11 attacks.)
The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) is asking its 25,000 members to contact their U.S. senators and ask them to oppose this amendment.
There is, of course, the whole thorny subject of firearms and the potential liability problems this could have for Amtrak.
But the real issue here – and this is NARP’s concern — is a member of the Senate trying to micromanage our national railroad.
The last thing Amtrak needs is a bunch of politicians telling them what to do and how to do it. That, indeed, would be a helluva way to run a railroad!
Under other circumstances I might agree. But, unfortunately, there is a long history of members of congress trying to make operating decisions for Amtrak, even trying to mandate the elimination of food service. As a matter of principle, I think it’s a bad idea.
No he shouldn’t. Of course Amtrak should carry firearms in checked baggage just like the airlines do, if Amtrak isn’t willing to do it then there needs to be a law. People that are going on hunting trips don’t use Amtrak anymore. Wonder why?