Seems a few people are getting the hint that airports aren't quite as gun free as they think
Officials at the world’s busiest airport apparently overstated their case last month when they declared Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International a “gun-free” zone. Truth is, hunters, competitive shooters and other fliers tote hundreds of guns — some of them high-powered weapons — and thousands of rounds of ammunition through nonsecure areas of Hartsfield-Jackson every year. “The claim it was a gun-free zone was sort of a misnomer,” said airport spokesman Herschel Grangent. “There are people who have guns at the airport.
Officials at the world’s busiest airport apparently overstated their case last month when they declared Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International a “gun-free” zone.
Truth is, hunters, competitive shooters and other fliers tote hundreds of guns — some of them high-powered weapons — and thousands of rounds of ammunition through nonsecure areas of Hartsfield-Jackson every year.
“The claim it was a gun-free zone was sort of a misnomer,” said airport spokesman Herschel Grangent. “There are people who have guns at the airport.
So, they admit that guns go in and out every day, along with thousands of pounds of ammo a year. Logically, then, one could deduce that the presence of guns actually doesn't increase crime since, well, there's not been a rash of shootings at the Atlanta Airport by hunters pissed that it now costs $50 to check in luggage.
Logic, of course, isn't a requirement for being a petty tyrant
“What we’re trying to stop is people carrying loaded guns in a concealed manner in the nonsecure areas.”
I have some bad news for them - there's no way to stop it. Hell, I didn't realize it was such an issue. I was armed in the parking lot there. I managed to contain myself and not shoot the driver of the tram for dropping me off so far from my mother's vehicle.
In fact, the only way to get remotely close is to make the entire airport one giant sterile environment. Metal detectors at every entrance, searches of every vehicle coming in and out, strip searches, etc. You know, kind of like getting on a plane.
The Ben DeCosta General Tyrant Manager, of course isn't going to listen
Airport General Manager Ben DeCosta said his focus is on keeping the airport’s 89 million yearly passengers safe. He has threatened to have anyone carrying a gun at Hartsfield-Jackson arrested. “I’m not going to quibble over words,” DeCosta said. “This is a gun-free airport, which means it is illegal to have loaded, concealed weapons at the airport
Airport General Manager Ben DeCosta said his focus is on keeping the airport’s 89 million yearly passengers safe. He has threatened to have anyone carrying a gun at Hartsfield-Jackson arrested.
“I’m not going to quibble over words,” DeCosta said. “This is a gun-free airport, which means it is illegal to have loaded, concealed weapons at the airport
Except it's not gun free, as we've illustrated. Of course, I'm just a gun nut and not worth listening to. Ok, let's toss in a former federal agent's opinion then
Former federal agent James Cool said he sees a contradiction in allowing people to check guns as luggage, but banning concealed weapons carried by licensed carriers in the same airport areas. “How is that a gun-free zone?” Cool asked. “How long would it take somebody to take a Glock [a pistol] out of its case and load it right at the ticket counter? If you are a terrorist, that’s how you would do it anyway. “We’re splitting hairs. The airport is not a gun-free zone.”
Former federal agent James Cool said he sees a contradiction in allowing people to check guns as luggage, but banning concealed weapons carried by licensed carriers in the same airport areas.
“How is that a gun-free zone?” Cool asked. “How long would it take somebody to take a Glock [a pistol] out of its case and load it right at the ticket counter? If you are a terrorist, that’s how you would do it anyway.
“We’re splitting hairs. The airport is not a gun-free zone.”
Emphasis mine. He's right because it isn't. I'm willing to bet the thugs don't disarm before they go pick up anyone. By their very nature, they don't follow the rules anyway.
I guess any degree of logical intelligence isn't a requirement for running an airport.