TSA decideing wether or not to ban guns at airports

[Shawn.L]

TSA Deciding On Whether To Ban Guns In Airports
Gun Owners of America
8001 Forbes Place Suite 102
Springfield VA 22151

Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408http://www.gunowners.org

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

You may not have been watching the battle that is brewing over concealed carry in the Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta, Georgia, but it may endup affecting you where you live. Because of what's happening in Atlanta, the Transportation Security Agency could decide to allow airports across the country to ban firearms in areas that currently allow for self-defense.
It all began when Georgia passed a new law allowing permit holders to carry guns onto state parks, into restaurants that serve alcohol, and onto mass transit (such as the non-surveillance areas in airports). The Hartsfield-Jackson airport responded by defying the state law andbanning firearms throughout the entire airport, including areas where drivers pick up passengers.
This has resulted in a court battle, where presently, a federal judge ruled in favor of the airport's ban. Now, the TSA may step into the fray by permitting airports across the entire country to ban firearms in those locations that are outside of the boarding areas.
Federal law prevents passengers from bringing firearms past airport checkpoints. But in many states, passengers are allowed to bring guns and knives into areas such as the pick-up points and the main terminal. This iswhat could change very soon. "Any decisions we make that affect (Atlanta) could affect every otherairport in the country," said TSA spokesman Christopher White to USA Today(8/7/08).
What's at stake here is not the ability to take guns past surveillancepoints. What's at stake is the right of self-defense outside of these areas-- especially where drivers are either dropping off or picking up passengers. In other words, drivers who have permits are the ones who would be affected the most because they would now have to leave their guns at home -- thus contradicting the very reason they got a concealed carry permit in the firstplace... the fact that they wanted to carry their guns outside of the house.
ACTION: Please urge President Bush to put the squeeze on the TSA. This president should certainly understand the bad-politics of imposing a gun ban right before an election.
You can visit the Gun Owners Legislative Action Center at http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm to send Pres. Bush the pre-writtene-mail message below.
----- Pre-written letter -----
Dear Mr. President:
The August 7 issue of USA Today reports that the TSA is considering lettingairports across the country ban firearms in areas that currently allow forself-defense. What's at stake here is not the ability to take guns past surveillancepoints. What's at stake is the right of self-defense outside of these areas-- especially where drivers are either dropping off or picking uppassengers. In other words, drivers who have permits are the ones who would be affectedthe most because they would now have to leave their guns at home -- thuscontradicting the very reason they got a concealed carry permit in the firstplace... the fact that they wanted to carry their guns outside of the house. I hope that you will rein in the rogue TSA and prevent them from making such a foolish decision -- if not for the Second Amendment, then for the sake of your own administration and party. You must understand how harmful it would be to impose a brand new gun ban in an election year, when thecampaigns of people like Al Gore and John Kerry have amply demonstrated that the gun rights issue can cost a party dearly.

Sincerely,
****************************

[God's Country]

Hmmm.
How can I put this.




The TSA can suck it!

[w1cked]

TSA is the new fucking ATF. Another oppressive power hungry agency.

[pex]

I thought airports were still private property, even with the thorough TSA intermingling. What gives TSA the authority to cause such a change? Doesn't that responsibility still reside with either state or federal legislatures?

[ThomasJ]

The TSA does not have that authority. Just another ill-informed fear-mongering piece that panders to ignorance.

[Koli01]

How many shootings have there been at airports recently?