I believe the FAMs are the only sworn LEOs in TSA. I somewhat doubt that USC or the federal budget would allow the creation of a new category of LEOs within TSA. The budget would prevent a wholesale expansion of the FAM program, although I suspect the administrator could re-assign FAMs on a temporary basis.

 

Arm The TSA? I thought we were trying to get guns OUT of the hands of criminals?

 

Arm a new category of TSA officers: Opposing view

 

Why doesn't the TSA just borrow some armed agents from the Social Security Administration, Dept of Agriculture, etc?

 

Or the Postal Service?

 

Does Barney Fife still work there? Andy only let him keep one bullet in his shirt pocket.

 

"This would improve safety not only for our dedicated TSOs but also for the flying public. Under the 2001 law that federalized the passenger screening process, the TSA administrator already has the power to create such a position. Now is the time to act, before another tragedy occurs.

J. David Cox Sr. is national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents TSA officers nationwide."


This coming from the leader of the federal civil service employees union. Well of course he wants more, and higher-paying, federal jobs with lifetime job security and pensions.

 

So, their brilliant idea is to arm the most abusive government agency this side of the IRS, whose employees were recruited by ads on pizza boxes? Brilliant!!

 

While I have issues with many TSA agents and some of their ridiculous rules---to say they're criminals or are all lazy/stupid is ridiculous. Many of them, especially at the smaller airports are former/retired military and law enforcement.

 

I don't believe anyone here has said all TSA agents are criminals or are lazy. I've no doubt there are plenty of hard working, honest and responsible people who work for the TSA, but the organization itself does not keep the bar very high.

These are the requirements of getting a job for the TSA:

a background investigation, including a credit and criminal check
a drug screening and medical evaluation
no debt defaults of $7,500 or more (except for some bankruptcies)
no delinquent federal or state taxes or past-due child support payments
males must be registered for Selective Service
must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national at time of application
must be at least 18 at the time of application
must be English proficient
must have a high-school diploma, a GED –or – “at least one year of full-time work experience in the security industry, aviation screening, or as an X-ray technician.”

There are more stringent requirements to pump gas or flip burgers let alone be an armed federal agent. The FBI process for example requires background investigations, character references, lie detector tests etc. I doubt many TSA personnel could get a state issued CCW if they tried.

Anyone who has flown in the past decade or so has no doubt seen first hand many examples of bullying, abuse of power, improper touching, harassment, unprofessionalism and the like, at the hands of TSA personnel. Are these glorified mall cops really the kind of people you feel comfortable having a badge AND gun?