Can TSA officers carry guns on duty?
 

I overheard a conversation at PHX where a TSO suggested that he carries a gun while on duty, although I didn't get the full context so I'm not positive.

Based on my research, Arizona is apparently one of the few states that allows anyone to carry a concealed weapon in public, without the need to apply for a permit from the sheriff like in other states. So with that said, is there anything stopping a TSA agent from carrying a concealed handgun while screening passengers?

You could ask TSO Alvin Crabtree at DEN. :D

I'm not referring to taking a gun past the checkpoint like Crabtree did. I'm talking about carrying a gun on one's person while working at the checkpoint.

NO.

while working "at the checkpoint", they are "past the checkpoint".
they also take breaks airside.

Nope....no way/no how...no matter what AZ State Statute might say.

TSO's are non-LEO positions and are not allowed to carry weapons.

If he walked into the sterile area with one on...he'd go to jail.

Let's look at this from another angle.
Why on earth would any of these people have the need to carry a weapon?

BTW - They're not Officers. They're Federal Employees. Do you call your Mailman Officer?

Mr. Crabtree was going to work as a TSO when the gun was found.

You're sure it was a TSO, right?

Yes, federal law. (Probably state law too).

Can you cite the law?

From what I can see, Arizona's general gun laws allow anyone to carry a gun almost anywhere they want. Federal law bans guns in the secure area of the airport, but not outside. Therefore, TSA staff would be permitted to carry guns outside the secure area, unless there is a law specifically saying otherwise. So I am wondering if anyone knows what this law is.

In the airport, or in general? In the airport, they have no need. Away from the airport, their 'need' is the same as that of others who feel the 'need' to carry, which is really identical to the 'need' for off-call, off-duty LEOs to carry.

I'd like the OP to return and confirm that it was a TSO.

I'm wondering if "TSO" was used instead of "TSA" employee. I know of a couple of groups within TSA that do carry. Federal Air Marshals, some Transportation Security Inspectors, and there may be others.

Maybe we can have a thread titled: [Speculation] Top Ten reasons TSOs may need to carry guns. :D

That's why I asked for clarification . . . clarification which hasn't come yet.

Yes, it was a TSO. I'm talking about the people with the blue shirts that check your ID and watch the monitors as the bags go through the x-ray.