City of Baltimore - File #: 09-0159R

• File #: 09-0159R
• Version: 0
• Name: Request For Action - Federal Legislation - Transport of Firearms on Amtrak
• Type: City Council Resolution
• Status: Adopted
• File created: 10/5/2009
• In control: City Council
• Final action: 10/5/2009
• Title: Request For Action - Federal Legislation - Transport of Firearms on Amtrak FOR the purpose of respectfully urging the Honorable Baltimore City Members of the 111th U.S. Congress to reject the Senate Amendment to the 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that will permit Amtrak passengers to transport firearms in checked luggage.
• Sponsors: Mary Pat Clarke, James B. Kraft, Bill Henry, Helen L. Holton, Belinda Conaway, Warren Branch, Rochelle Spector
• Indexes: Resolution

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
10/5/2009	0	City Council	Introduced
10/5/2009	0	City Council	Advanced to 2nd Reader on same day
10/5/2009	0	City Council	Adopted

* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*

CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)

Introduced by: Councilmember Clarke

A RESOLUTION ENTITLED

A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
Request For Action - Federal Legislation - Transport of Firearms on Amtrak

FOR the purpose of respectfully urging the Honorable Baltimore City Members of the 111th U.S. Congress to reject the Senate Amendment to the 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that will permit Amtrak passengers to transport firearms in checked luggage.
body
Recitals

On September 16, 2009, the U.S. Senate adopted an amendment to the 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that would permit Amtrak passengers to legally transport weapons in checked baggage. The House version, passed in July, does not include this provision.

The policy that permitted the transport of firearms was changed following the terrorists' attacks of September 11. Amtrak officials oppose the Senate mandate that would reverse the change in policy because the company currently has no uniform system of screening firearms. If the Senate amendment stands and Amtrak does not institute a new system to track firearms so that passengers can transport weapons, the company will lose its federal subsidies.

In addition to the cost-prohibitive aspects of the mandate, there are safety concerns far beyond the security of the cars. Currently the railroad has no secure loa...