In the wake of last week’s shooting rampage at LAX, conspiracy theorists were quick on the trigger with claims that the TSA would use the incident to arm its agents.
Now they’ve got some real blogging fodder.
First, the TSA screeners’ union just called for armed guards at every checkpoint.
But today the union head is flat-out proposing that TSA agents be permitted to wield weapons — a major step up from their current non-law-enforcement role — according to LA Weekly:
Union president J. David Cox Sr. said this today:
“We want to make sure we are doing everything possible to secure screening areas at our nation’s airports. At this time, we feel a larger and more consistent armed presence in screening areas would be a positive step in improving security for both TSOs and the flying public. The development of a new class of TSA officers with law enforcement status would be a logical approach to accomplishing this goal.”
Currently, Transportation Security Officers (aka agents or screeners) are not armed, cannot use force, and cannot make arrests.
What do you think? You’ve experienced TSA agents. Do you want them armed with anything other than rubber gloves?
