(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Corrine Brown made the following statement:

"As the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, I am appalled that language in the FY 2010 Omnibus appropriations bill permits people to carry guns on Amtrak trains.  I am disappointed that there were not any hearings, discussions, or attempts to allow alternative points of view (voiced strongly by both the House Committee on Transportation as well as the House Committee on Homeland Security) whatsoever. 

Indeed, passage of this legislation may well endanger the safety of the 27 million passengers that ride Amtrak each year.  Although I support many provisions of the omnibus bill, such as increased funding for health care, education, transportation and veterans programs, I cannot support the bill as passed in the House because of the inclusion of the Amtrak provision. 

Indeed, the inclusion of this provision entirely undermines rail security in our nation since it outright requires Amtrak to allow passengers to transport firearms on trains.  I have traveled on different rail systems throughout the world, and none of them allow guns on their systems.  In allowing this provision, America will be taking a dangerous step backwards, particularly with respect to stripping Amtrak of its ability to set its own security standards and protect its customers and employees from harm.

Deadly terrorist attacks of commuter trains in Novgorod Russia, Madrid, Spain, Mumbai, India and London, England, clearly demonstrate the importance of passenger rail security.  These incidents also show that securing a rail environment presents unique obstacles and vulnerabilities not associated with other modes of transportation. 

Moreover, allowing passengers to carry guns onto Amtrak trains clearly reflects a lack of understanding of the characteristics and security concerns unique to passenger rail systems in general, and Amtrak in particular.  Passengers are not required to go through metal detectors, and Amtrak does not have a staff of TSA officers and law enforcement officials processing passengers through the station.  Moreover, Amtrak has never been given the resources necessary to incur the additional cost and manpower that will be needed to comply with this legislation. 

The traveling public deservedly expects to be safe while traveling on Amtrak, yet this provision sadly lets them down.  I hope that we can continue to work with all the stakeholders to ensure that when the final rule making process is complete, that this provision does not endanger the lives of those that travel on Amtrak.  We have worked too hard augmenting rail safety over the years to take such a giant step backwards."

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