Can TSA officers carry guns on duty?
Oct 3, 2012, 6:24 pm
#1
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,580
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?
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?
Oct 3, 2012, 7:03 pm
#3
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,580
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.
Last edited by essxjay; Oct 7, 2012 at 8:54 pm Reason: readability
Oct 3, 2012, 7:35 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: TX
Programs: WN A List Preferred and CP, AA, IHG Spire, Hertz #1 Gold 5*, Hilton Diamond, Enterprise Platinum
Posts: 1,269
Oct 4, 2012, 2:44 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: UA/Hawaiian/Marriott
Posts: 840
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.
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.
Oct 4, 2012, 5:39 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Retired in Houston, TX
Programs: Platinum-CO-DL-Priority Club WN A-list Diomond-Hilton-BW Gold-Choice Hertz Presidents Club
Posts: 305
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?
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?
Oct 4, 2012, 7:14 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 8,956
Oct 4, 2012, 8:51 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
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?
Oct 4, 2012, 12:46 pm
#10
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,580
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.
Oct 4, 2012, 12:50 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
I'd like the OP to return and confirm that it was a TSO.
Last edited by essxjay; Oct 7, 2012 at 8:56 pm Reason: off topic
Oct 4, 2012, 1:47 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,126
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.
Oct 4, 2012, 3:09 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
That's why I asked for clarification . . . clarification which hasn't come yet.
Oct 4, 2012, 3:22 pm
#15
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,580