Amtrak may ease rules on guns on its trains, sources say

Amtrak is considering a policy change that would allow passengers to store guns in lockboxes on most of its trains, a move that has sparked criticism in light of a recent security incident. The proposal, influenced by pressure from Trump administration officials, aims to ease restrictions on transporting firearms. This comes after a man, Cole Tomas Allen, was arrested for attempting to attack President Trump and other officials at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Allen traveled from California to Washington, D.C., by Amtrak, carrying a shotgun and a semiautomatic pistol. The proposed change would expand the current policy, which only permits guns on trains with locked baggage cars, to include over 1,500 trains daily, affecting routes with high passenger volumes. Critics argue that this could compromise safety, especially after the recent incident. Amtrak has not confirmed whether Allen adhered to existing gun transport rules. QUESTION: How might allowing guns on more trains impact the safety and security of passengers and staff?