Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Amtrak

House GOPer Goes ‘All Aboard for Gun Rights on Amtrak’

Rep. Peter King (NY), the senior Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, has strongly criticized a Senate-approved provision that would force Amtrak to allow guns on board -- but some of King's colleagues fired back yesterday by introducing a counterpart to the Senate's proposal.

Denny006.jpgRep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT) (Photo: DennyRehberg.com)

Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT) led several lawmakers in proposing legislation that would change Amtrak's policy on transporting firearms in checked baggage. In a statement issued by his office, Rehberg described the bill as going "all aboard for gun rights on Amtrak":

Amtrak is a great way for Montanans toget around the country, but folks shouldn’t have to forfeit theirSecond Amendment rights when they climb aboard. Current restrictions prevent Montanans who wish tolegally transport firearms from enjoying the convenience of Amtraktravel. It’s time to protect gun rights, whether you travel by plane,train or automobile.

There is a notable difference between Rehberg's plan and the language the Senate attached to its version of the 2010 U.S. DOT budget, sparking the ire of some policy-makers from the New York area. The Senate provision would give Amtrak a hard deadline of next spring to begin accepting unloaded firearms or risk the loss of federal funding, but Rehberg's bill includes no such timetable.

The Montanan told the local Missoulian newspaper yesterday that the Senate had "changed its language" to be more in line with his legislation, and an Amtrak spokesman said the rail network would not be opposed to Rehberg's bill. Specifying that guns remain in checked baggage would restrict the scope of the rules change, since travelers can only check bags on 30 percent of Amtrak trips.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday Video: Are We All Living in a ‘Carspiracy’?

How does "car-brain" shape the way we think about the world — even in relatively bike-friendly countries like the U.K.?

July 26, 2024

Friday’s Headlines Share and Share Alike

Bikeshares, and e-bikes and scooters generally, are becoming more popular. That's led to more injuries, highlighting the need for better infrastructure.

July 26, 2024

What the Heck is Going on With the California E-Bike Incentive Program?

The program's launch has been delayed for two years, and currently "there is no specific timeline" for it. Plus the administrator, Pedal Ahead, is getting dragged, but details are vague.

July 26, 2024

Talking Headways Podcast: Have Cities Run Out of Land?

Chris Redfearn of USC and Anthony Orlando of Cal Poly Pomona on why "pro-business" Texas housing markets are catching up to "pro-regulation" California and what it might mean for future city growth.

July 25, 2024

The Paris Plan for Olympic Traffic? Build More Bike Lanes

A push to make Paris fully bikable for the Olympics is already paying dividends long before the opening ceremonies.

July 25, 2024
See all posts