Amtrak to allow unloaded firearms in checked baggage

Amtrak passengers will be able to bring unloaded firearms aboard trains traveling from two Pennsylvania locations later this month.The new national policy will take effect only at train stations with checked baggage service.Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are the lone stations to offer the service in Pennsylvania.   Spokesman Steve Kulm said this reverses a near decade-long gun ban on Amtrak trains.”This allows for your basic category of firearms: rifles, shotguns, handguns, starter pistols, are what is allowed,” he said.Kulm said a gun must be locked in a hard-sided container. Firearms will be put in a specific storage space.Smaller firearms must be securely stored within a suitcase or other items of checked baggage. Rifles or shotguns will be stored in secure cabinets or areas of train stations and baggage cars.Kulm said Amtrak modified 142 baggage cars to make room for secure storage cabinets.Passengers must call at least a day before their departure — if they wish to bring a gun aboard a checked baggage train.The policy goes into effect Dec. 15.