Waitone
Member
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/news/s_205423.html
<Poster's Comment--Who needs to be educating who>
By Jim Ritchie
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Federal security officials are turning to the National Rifle Association to help curb gun violations at airports.
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration wants the NRA, the nation's biggest pro-gun group, to educate its 4 million members about federal gun laws at airports. The move is intended to counter a growing number of firearms violations at airports.
Both groups confirmed talks are under way, but disclosed few details.
"We're having informal talks with the NRA on how to get this message out," TSA spokeswoman Amy Von Walter said Tuesday.
"They've asked us to help inform our members about the proper procedures," said Andrew Arulanandam, an NRA spokesman.
Each side has its own motives for talking.
"We continue to see guns and ammunition at the (airport security) checkpoints," Von Walter said. "It's an ongoing problem."
The Fairfax, Va.-based NRA, which held its annual convention in Pittsburgh in April, wants airline employees to stop harassing gun owners who have legally packed their weapons in their checked bags.
Too often, Arulanandam said, gun owners are stopped by airline agents who say they are not permitted to travel with firearms.
"There's a lot of frustration among our members and gun owners," he said. "Airline employees are not always aware of the rules. We want hunters and gun owners to travel without hassle. It's a two-way street."
Federal law does not permit passengers to have guns in carry-on bags. Passengers may lock unloaded guns in hard-sided cases and pack the cases in checked luggage. Passengers must tell airline ticket agents about weapons.
On a daily basis, TSA screeners across the country stop up to four passengers who have guns in their carry-on bags, Von Walter said. Passengers also place loaded guns in their checked luggage or fail to put guns in locked cases.
TSA screeners nationwide continue to intercept over a half-million prohibited items each month.
At Pittsburgh International Airport, screeners found about 3,900 such items in the past month. They commonly are found in carry-on bags and include guns, scissors and tools.
Local TSA spokesman Craig Martelle could not specify how many guns were seized locally.
Passengers who break the rules can be fined or arrested. Incidents often are handled differently at each airport, depending on the circumstances.
Von Walter said the TSA could seek similar education arrangements with other groups in addition to the NRA, but she declined to identify them.
"We'd like to use every resource available to us," she said. "We're kind of looking at potential avenues."
<Poster's Comment--Who needs to be educating who>
By Jim Ritchie
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Federal security officials are turning to the National Rifle Association to help curb gun violations at airports.
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration wants the NRA, the nation's biggest pro-gun group, to educate its 4 million members about federal gun laws at airports. The move is intended to counter a growing number of firearms violations at airports.
Both groups confirmed talks are under way, but disclosed few details.
"We're having informal talks with the NRA on how to get this message out," TSA spokeswoman Amy Von Walter said Tuesday.
"They've asked us to help inform our members about the proper procedures," said Andrew Arulanandam, an NRA spokesman.
Each side has its own motives for talking.
"We continue to see guns and ammunition at the (airport security) checkpoints," Von Walter said. "It's an ongoing problem."
The Fairfax, Va.-based NRA, which held its annual convention in Pittsburgh in April, wants airline employees to stop harassing gun owners who have legally packed their weapons in their checked bags.
Too often, Arulanandam said, gun owners are stopped by airline agents who say they are not permitted to travel with firearms.
"There's a lot of frustration among our members and gun owners," he said. "Airline employees are not always aware of the rules. We want hunters and gun owners to travel without hassle. It's a two-way street."
Federal law does not permit passengers to have guns in carry-on bags. Passengers may lock unloaded guns in hard-sided cases and pack the cases in checked luggage. Passengers must tell airline ticket agents about weapons.
On a daily basis, TSA screeners across the country stop up to four passengers who have guns in their carry-on bags, Von Walter said. Passengers also place loaded guns in their checked luggage or fail to put guns in locked cases.
TSA screeners nationwide continue to intercept over a half-million prohibited items each month.
At Pittsburgh International Airport, screeners found about 3,900 such items in the past month. They commonly are found in carry-on bags and include guns, scissors and tools.
Local TSA spokesman Craig Martelle could not specify how many guns were seized locally.
Passengers who break the rules can be fined or arrested. Incidents often are handled differently at each airport, depending on the circumstances.
Von Walter said the TSA could seek similar education arrangements with other groups in addition to the NRA, but she declined to identify them.
"We'd like to use every resource available to us," she said. "We're kind of looking at potential avenues."
