Gun Debate Pits TSA and Airport Police Against Each Other

Gun Debate Pits TSA and Airport Police Against Each Other

  • By Ginger Hill
  • May 11, 2015

A debate has ensued between TSA agents/screeners and airport police, stemming from a pair of attacks on airport security checkpoints in which TSA agents at Los Angeles International Airport and New Orleans’ Louis Armstrong International Airport were killed or wounded. Screeners are alluding to these incidents as irony: unarmed government employees tasked with protecting passengers, crews and people without firearms or other weaponry, minus a screening machine.

The screeners’ union is lobbying for legislation to create an armed TSA force, but in the meantime, they are asking that airport police officers be posted at all TSA checkpoints to serve as deterrents. Airport police are not in agreement, saying that posting a uniformed officer in a fixed position is like painting a target on his/her chest. (But, isn’t that what TSA agents/screeners are: uniformed officers in fixed positions?)

Those against arming TSA screeners indicate that it will lead to chaos in emergency situations as there would be two armed forces with two different chains of command and two chiefs. However, those in favor of arming TSA agents indicate that at least they would be able to defend themselves, should the need arise.

Why can’t “we” just all get along?

Jeffrey J Coleman / Shutterstock.com

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Just as Expected

    GSX produced a wonderful tradeshow earlier this week. Monday was surprisingly strong in the morning, and the afternoon wasn’t bad at all. That’s Monday’s results and asking attendees to travel on Sunday. Just a quick hint, no one wants to give up their weekend to travel and set up an exhibit booth. I’m just saying. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX

  • NOLA: The Crescent City

    Twenty years later we finds ourselves in New Orleans. Twenty years ago the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina forced exhibitors and attendees to look elsewhere for tradeshow floor space. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX

  • Nothing Artificial About this Intelligence

    I have been looking forward to this year’s GSX show in New Orleans, the Cresent City, or if you prefer The Big Easy. It seems like quite a while since we’ve been here. Twenty years ago, ASIS, as it was known then was literally washed out of the city by someone known as Katrina. It is a good thing to come back to NOLA. Read Now

  • From Monitors to Mission Control

    Security Operations Centers (SOC) were once defined by rows of static monitors, each displaying a single feed with operators quietly watching for issues. That model has become obsolete. Incidents evolve too quickly, data comes from multiple locations, and decisions must be made in seconds—not minutes. Read Now

  • New Gas Monkey Garage Venue Uses AI-Enhanced Video Technology

    Gas Monkey Garage, the automotive custom shop and entertainment brand founded by Richard Rawlings of Fast N’ Loud TV fame, has opened a vibrant new restaurant and bar in South Dakota, equipped with advanced, AI-enhanced video tech from IDIS Americas. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.