Firearms Approved on VRE, But Only So Far

District laws to create confusion

By MIKE TUNISON

Updated 12:16 PM EST, Mon, Sep 21, 2009

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The Virginia Railway Express Operations Board yesterday overturned a policy that banned passengers from carrying firearms and concealed weapons with a permit on the trains.

The move was required by Virginia law. Problem is, it doesn't supersede D.C.'s regulations on handguns, meaning those who do opt to bring firearms on board the trains cannot carry them into the city.

For a commuter train whose main purpose is to bring workers into the city, that might render this decision moot for the majority of VRE riders. Unless they happen to be D.C. residents, who are the only ones who can register a gun in the city.

So what are folks to do if they hear the news and mistakenly board the train all the way into the District? Chuck the guns into the Potomac?

VRE Operations Board members were less than thrilled with having to make the change, partially because many riders will run afoul of the differing rules across jurisdictions, but also because guns plus big crowds equals disaster. Chairman Chris Zimmerman, who is also an Arlington County supervisor, said, "I think encouraging people to bring guns onto loaded trains is a stupid idea."

Voice of reason, folks. Maybe he should tell that to Congress.

Meanwhile, the VRE has nixed discounts to children and the elderly. Probably just as well to get the frail folks who might not be able to take a bullet off the train with all the guns that might be coming aboard.