Congressman moves to block guns at airport

[Mikebnice]

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/me...irport_guns.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

By JAMES SALZER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 07/21/08

The chairman of the U.S. House's Homeland Security Committee wants the federal government to keep Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport a gun-free zone.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) wrote Transportation Security Administration officials Monday asking them what they will do to keep guns out of the world's busiest airport in light of a new Georgia law that allows Georgians with carry permits to tote guns into restaurants that sell alcohol, onto public transportation and, supporters say, into the airport.

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"It is my belief that federal law prohibits individuals from carrying firearms in all areas of an airport and that TSA has the authority to enforce these restrictions," Thompson wrote. "To do otherwise would hamper TSA's ability to keep our airports secure."

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin has vowed to lobby Congress and federal officials to mandate that any public facility receiving federal money be declared a "gun-free zone." City officials have promised to arrest anyone carrying a gun at Hartsfield-Jackson. Gun advocates have sued to stop the city from searching or arresting people for "legally carrying firearms."

Gun advocates say the new law, which took effect July 1, means people with the proper permits could carry concealed weapons in the non-secure areas in front of airport security gates. Federal law prohibits guns beyond the security gates.

Attempts to reach Rep. Tim Bearden (R-Villa Rica), the gun law's champion, were unsuccessful.

In his letter to Kip Hawley, assistant secretary of TSA, Thompson asked for the federal security plan for Hartsfield-Jackson.

"TSA's inability to protect the general public from individuals carrying concealed weapons into an airport would pose a serious and unnecessary security threat," Thompson wrote. "If TSA management believes that no current law exists to clearly designate areas of an airport within the control and authority of federal transportation officials, the committee may seek legislative action to correct this omission."



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[Prince Yamato]

"It is my belief that federal law prohibits individuals from carrying firearms in all areas of an airport and that TSA has the authority to enforce these restrictions," Thompson wrote. "To do otherwise would hamper TSA's ability to keep our airports secure."

No, it doesn't. How else would people check guns in their baggage? There's little difference between the checked firearm and the concealed firearm.

 

[jrfoxx]

"It is my belief that federal law prohibits individuals from carrying firearms in all areas of an airport and that TSA has the authority to enforce these restrictions," Thompson wrote.

I'd LOVE to see what federal law he thinks says this. Shouldn't the people who MAKE the laws have some clue as what the laws are? you'd think he could have an aide look this up for him and find out no such law exists.However, I'm betting he knows that already, and doesnt care, and is just lying to help push his agenda.

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin has vowed to lobby Congress and federal officials to mandate that any public facility receiving federal money be declared a "gun-free zone."

Knowing full well that nearly all public buildings are probably receivng SOME amount of money from some federal program in some manner, like NEA, Ed.dept., DOE, Dept. of Transportation, etc. If this got passed it would be REALLY, REALLY bad for CCW rights I think, and we'd be darn near limited to carry on our own property only.


My urge to sell all my posessions, and use the money to travel the country slapping politicians upside thier elitest and/or stupid heads is becomming overwhelming the last couple years....
:banghead:


pray for me to have strength to resist.....
(at least until I win the lottery at least)

 

[Igloodude]

"TSA's inability to protect the general public from individuals carrying concealed weapons into an airport would pose a serious and unnecessary security threat," Thompson wrote.

And how would TSA do so? They can barely keep guns off the airplanes themselves, with metal detectors and strictly controlled access, nevermind a relatively open (and public/anonymous access) airport terminal with lots of people dragging around coats and luggage. :banghead:

 

[Nobody's_Hero]

$5 says the TSA's powers get expanded, and it gets its own division specifically dedicated to gun control.

 

[RoadkingLarry]

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin has vowed to lobby Congress and federal officials to mandate that any public facility receiving federal money be declared a "gun-free zone." City officials have promised to arrest anyone carrying a gun at Hartsfield-Jackson. ...

probably a wishfull reach but...Since the 2nd is so far just a restraint on the federal government wouldn't that be a violation of the 2nd???

 

[K-Romulus]

"If TSA management believes that no current law exists to clearly designate areas of an airport within the control and authority of federal transportation officials, the committee may seek legislative action to correct this omission."

The "Jenius at Work" here should realize that TSA, right now, DOES have this authority. It was spelled out in the same article:

Federal law prohibits guns beyond the security gates.

That is because existing Federal Law applies only to those places within the sterile areas. Outside those areas is considered state jurisdiction. That's why local law enforcement patrols the airport terminal and the county courthouse, not armed TSA agents.

 

[armedandsafe]

"TSA's inability to protect the general public from individuals carrying concealed weapons into an airport would pose a serious and unnecessary security threat,"

Let's fix that.

"TSA's inability to prevent individuals carrying concealed weapons into an airport would pose a serious and necessary security strength.,"

All right, so it's clumsy, but you get the idea.

Pops

 

[dogmush]

Armedandsafe, that's good but I was thinking something more along these lines:

"TSA's inability to protect the general public from anything at all in an airport does pose a serious and unnecessary security threat,"

 

[El Tejon]

Gun advocates say the new law, which took effect July 1, means people with the proper permits could carry concealed weapons in the non-secure areas in front of airport security gates. Federal law prohibits guns beyond the security gates.

So, umm, has anyone asked the United States Attorney in Joejaw what he or she thinks???

 

[M203Sniper]

Someone should ask this idiot if she swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of her State and of the U.S. when she took office. If the answer is yes she is guilty of perjury.

Why hasn't the District Attorney charged her?

 

[Reddbecca]

Because lawmakers are allowed to do whatever the hell they want to do, Constitution be damned.

 

[RangerHAAF]

I don't think anything's going to come of this guy's effort. I don't think the Dems want to stir up a hornets nest just before November about guns. The law's on our side and the mayor's still smarting about losing the fight to keep guns out of Piedmont Park.

 

[usmarine0352_2005]

Someone should ask this idiot if she swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of her State and of the U.S. when she took office. If the answer is yes she is guilty of perjury.

Why hasn't the District Attorney charged her?

Perjury pertains to lying under oath. She wasn't under oath.

Secondly, it's politicians job to lie. Or historically it has been.

.

 

[ServiceSoon]

FIne, charge her with treason.

 

[Tyris]

FIne, charge her with treason.

I hate empty headed, chest thumping posts like these.

Go look up the degree of severity that treason holds in US law and the level of evidence required to bring a charge. These charges are not handed out like traffic tickets nor should they be trivialized.

-T

 

[XD_fan]

I find this all very amusing. I've carried many, many times in the Seattle, WA and Springfield, MO Airports. I'm sure others can say the same about their local airport. One of the other members has posted about OC'ing in the Seattle airport

The Springfield Airport cops have to know that I'm carrying when I go to pick up the wife. They have drooled over too many of my guns, while TSA was inspecting them, as I've flown out not to. To a person they only comments I've gotten from them are "nice gun(s)" or "I want one of those".

I don't hear the same uproar at any of these other airports. Nobody is trying or asking to carry into the sterile areas. How is the Atlanta airport any different than the rest? Oh wait...I forgot there are career politicians involved in this. My mistake, common sense and logic don't apply to them. :banghead:

 

[retgarr]

This gets under my skin because in front of the secured area of an airport would have to be one of the absolute easiest areas to carry weapons undetected. At an airport you have coats and suitcases everywhere, that's plenty of room to hide more than a handgun. But if you see someone wheeling around a big bag at a mall you are more likely to notice that person and watch.

 

[moga]

Those doods don't have a leg to stand on. And Thompson needs to mind the business of his own house before he gets involved in Georgia's affairs. He's a stark raving anti anyway.

If this is all that Shrill Shirley has then her agenda is in big trouble.

 

[Sam Adams]

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) wrote Transportation Security Administration officials Monday asking them what they will do to keep guns out of the world's busiest airport in light of a new Georgia law that allows Georgians with carry permits to tote guns into restaurants that sell alcohol, onto public transportation and, supporters say, into the airport.

What's the big freaking deal? I'm in Texas and have a CHL.

On Sunday I carried a loaded S&W 642 with a Crimson Trace Lasergrip into the non-secured area of the San Antonio Int'l Airport. Granted, it isn't as big as Hartsfield, but it is still an airport. I even drank a highly caffeinated beverage in Starbucks while waiting for my M-I-L to leave. Nothing happened, and nothing ever will so long as no one threatens me or my family.

I've carried into restaurants that sell alcohol for on-premises consumption - when they get less than 50% of their revenue from such source (i.e. not into bars). Nothing has ever happened, and nothing ever will so long as no one threatens me or my family.

I don't take public transit, but if I did I would carry with the same expected results.

I also carry while attending synogogue services nearly every week. I'm far from alone (Texas is a GREAT place to find normal, non-hoplophobic Jews). You see, Texas law permits this unless there's a special sign prohibiting it. Nothing has ever happened, and nothing ever will so long as no one threatens me or my family.

Oh, BTW, about 289,000 other Texans (as of 12/31/07) have the same right. We have a remarkably low rate of criminal acts committed by CHL holders - lower than even the police!!!!

This de-balled idiot, Thompson, should have his head examined. Better yet, his constituents should promote him to the private sector this coming November.

The central problem is that a large body of people in this country - which body is highly over-represented in government at all levels - is afraid of the average citizen having the means of self defense in his or her hands. Most of them are simply GFWs (gun-fearing wussies-thanks, Kim DuToit) - ignorant and afraid. But some are statists of the worst sort, those who want to cram laws and regulations down our throats and leave us with no more ability to resist than a cow has of resisting its trip to the slaughterhouse. I have no patience for the latter group (at least the former you can shame into a trip to the range, and you have a chance to convert them to being either neutral or pro-gun).

As is usual, gun control isn't about guns - it is about control.

 

[Sistema1927]

Georgians, please do us all a favor and remove this enemy of freedom from office at the next election.

 

[ServiceSoon]

I hate empty headed, chest thumping posts like these.

Go look up the degree of severity that treason holds in US law and the level of evidence required to bring a charge. These charges are not handed out like traffic tickets nor should they be trivialized.

-T

You know what I hate? People who continue to "legally" abolish and restrict the rights of free people.

Understand that when I made that comment I was half joking. You know, kidding among like minded people. I know that the word treason has an exact meaning as defined in the constitution.

There is a crime found in US code which she could be charged with but I can't remember what it is. I think El T brought it up once.

 

[ServiceSoon]

You know what I hate? People who continue to "legally" abolish and restrict the rights of free people.

Understand that when I made that comment I was half joking. You know, kidding among like minded people. I know that the word treason has an exact meaning as defined in the constitution.

There is a crime found in US code which she could be charged with but I can't remember what it is. I think El T brought it up once.

It might have been this:

TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 115 > § 2383

Rebellion or insurrection

Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.