Gun Debate Pits TSA and Airport Police Against Each Other -- Security Today

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

AI Used as Part of Sophisticated Espionage Campaign

A cybersecurity inflection point has been reached in which AI models has become genuinely useful in cybersecurity operation. But to no surprise, they can used for both good works and ill will. Systemic evaluations show cyber capabilities double in six months, and they have been tracking real-world cyberattacks showing how malicious actors were using AI capabilities. These capabilities were predicted and are expected to evolve, but what stood out for researchers was how quickly they have done so, at scale. Read Now
- Artificial Intelligence
Why the Future of Video Security Is Happening Outside the Cloud

For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reasons. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. Read Now
- Video Surveillance
UL Solutions Launches Artificial Intelligence Safety Certification Services

UL Solutions Inc., a global leader in safety science, today announced the launch of artificial intelligence (AI) safety certification services, enabling comprehensive assessments for evaluating the safety of AI-powered products. Read Now
- Artificial Intelligence
ESA Announces Initiative to Introduce the SECURE Act in State Legislatures

The Electronic Security Association (ESA), the national voice for the electronic security and life safety industry, has announced plans to introduce the SECURE Act in state legislatures across the country beginning in 2025. The proposal, known as Safeguarding Election Candidates Using Reasonable Expenditures, provides a clear framework that allows candidates and elected officials to use campaign funds for professional security services. Read Now
- Guard Services
Ransomware Attacks Rise for the First Time in Six Months

Ransomware attacks have risen for the first time in six months, increasing by 28% month-on-month to 421 attacks. While overall attack volume remained below 500, the uptick may signal a renewed escalation heading into the year’s most active period for cyber criminals. Read Now
- Cybersecurity

Security Today eNews

Sign up today for essential industry news and product information that can help you stay afloat in the fast-paced world of security.

Email Address*Country*

Please type the letters/numbers you see above.

Webinars

Whitepapers

New Products

4K Video Decoder

3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.
ResponderLink

Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.
QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.