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TSA Union Calls For Armed Guards At Every Checkpoint
Hugh Pickens DOT Com writes "Brian Tumulty writes at USA Today that the union representing airport screeners for the Transportation Security Administration says Friday's fatal shooting of an agent at Los Angeles International Airport highlights the need for armed security officers at every airport checkpoint. The screeners, who earn up to $30,000 annually, have not requested to carry guns themselves, but they do want an armed security officer present at every checkpoint says J. David Cox Sr., president of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents the screeners. "Every local airport has its own security arrangement with local police to some type of contract security force," says Cox. "There is no standardization throughout the country. Every airport operates differently. Obviously at L.A. there were a fair number of local police officers there." Congress may investigate the issue but Sen. Tom Carper, the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, says that "there will be an appropriate time — after all the facts have been gathered and thoughtfully analyzed —to review existing policy and procedure to see what, if anything, can be learned from this unfortunate incident to help prevent future tragedies." TSA officials say that they don't anticipate a change in the agency security posture at the moment, but "passengers may see an increased presence of local law enforcement officers throughout the country.""
Kind of like how like how the Prison gaurds union oppose reform of drug laws. Because they are representing the gaurds and their jobs, and they would be hurt by any sane policy.
"I opened my eyes, and everything went dark again"
Wait until you arm them. Now 6 year old kids can watch their mothers get guns pointed in their faces while being groped.
Hint: "Armed security officers" can also be untrained overpaid mouthbreathers with power trip issues.
All it takes for them to get involved in a situation is a nod from one of the currently employed untrained overpaid mouthbreathers with power trip issues and one of the the newly employed untrained overpaid mouthbreathers with power trip issues will be right there to help.
No sig today...
Marathon runs obviously need an armed guard every 10 yards along the course. We have proof that terrorists see marathon runs as a target!
You joke, but...
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/02/us-usa-newyork-marathon-idUSBRE9A104A20131102
"When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
Does this mean Obama will stop his anti-second amendment agenda now?
Stop spreading lies or being ignorant or both.
Obama has done nothing related to gun control in his years in office except make it easier for people to own whatever type of firearm they want.
He has signed legislation allowing guns in National Parks and on Amtrack trains.
He signed legislation that makes concealed carry permits valid in one state valid in all states.
He has never pushed an "assault" weapons ban or even restrictions on large capacity magazines.
His justice department has never challenged any of the numerous state level laws that have increased gun rights (Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Wyoming, Texas, North Dakota, etc.) or any of the stand-your-ground laws.
He is one of the most pro-gun Presidents in recent times and yet right wing delusionals (and firearm business interests) still trot out he is trying to take away guns.
Wax on, wax off baby!
The screeners, who earn up to $30,000 annually
There are some places where that seems fine, but I'm thinking LA? That's a lousy salary....
Yes, but it appears to be wrong. According to tsasalary.com, TSA inspectors earn an average of $45,000, and earn even more in high cost cities. Other links corroborate this amount, while none list a salary as low as $30k. Even the lowest starting salary is higher than that.
The shooting at the NRA convention was an April Fools joke. I know you hoped it was true, but that kind of thing doesn't actually happen.
There was a shooting at a gun show a while back, some idiot brought in a loaded shotgun to sell it, and it went off when he set it on a table. In the middle of a hall with many armed people, that was the only shot fired.
How long until it's not just some crazy guy off his meds and a normal person with a legitimate grievance...like a loved one being denied care under Obamacare?
Not as long until some unformed idiot poses a question like that.
You do know that "Obamacare" isn't an insurance plan or insurance company - right? You do know that the ACA only specifies *minimum* levels that all insurance plans must provide - right? You do know that all those plans are offered by private insurance companies - right? You do know that *private* insurance companies deny care all the fucking time, except now, under the ACA, they have fewer avenues to do so (no more: life-time limits or denials based on pre-existing conditions - before or after the fact) - right?
It must have been something you assimilated. . . .