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

  • Maximizing Your Security Budget This Year

    Perimeter Security Standards for Multi-Site Businesses

    When you run or own a business that has multiple locations, it is important to set clear perimeter security standards. By doing this, it allows you to assess and mitigate any potential threats or risks at each site or location efficiently and effectively. Read Now

  • New Research Shows a Continuing Increase in Ransomware Victims

    GuidePoint Security recently announced the release of GuidePoint Research and Intelligence Team’s (GRIT) Q1 2024 Ransomware Report. In addition to revealing a nearly 20% year-over-year increase in the number of ransomware victims, the GRIT Q1 2024 Ransomware Report observes major shifts in the behavioral patterns of ransomware groups following law enforcement activity – including the continued targeting of previously “off-limits” organizations and industries, such as emergency hospitals. Read Now

  • OpenAI's GPT-4 Is Capable of Autonomously Exploiting Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

    According to a new study from four computer scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, OpenAI’s paid chatbot, GPT-4, is capable of autonomously exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities without any human assistance. Read Now

  • Getting in Someone’s Face

    There was a time, not so long ago, when the tradeshow industry must have thought COVID-19 might wipe out face-to-face meetings. It sure seemed that way about three years ago. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation. 3

  • 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. 3

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    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. 3