Can I carry on an Amtrak Train?

[OCResident]

Q: Can a licensed CA CCW holder carry on an Amtrak train?

Amtrak responds with policy statement in response to email:

Dear THaves

Thank you for your inquiry.

It is Amtrak's policy that only qualified active law enforcement officers employed by a local, state, federal or railroad law enforcement agency on official business be permitted to carry handguns or small weapons(not exposed or needlessly displayed) aboard Amtrak trains.
Each situation requires prior approval by Amtrak Police.

We hope this information is of assistance.

Sincerely,
Maggie
Amtrak Customer Service

and

Thank you for contacting us.

Amtrak's policy regarding weapons is as follows:

FIREARMS AND WEAPONS ON BOARD TRAINS

1. IT IS AMTRAK'S POLICY THAT ONLY QUALIFIED ACTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS EMPLOYED BY A LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL OR RAILROAD LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS
BE PERMITTED TO CARRY HANDGUNS OR SMALL WEAPONS (NOT EXPOSED OR NEEDLESSLY DISPLAYED) ABOARD AMTRAK TRAINS.
.
2. A "QUALIFIED ACTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER" IS DEFINED AS AN EMPLOYEE OF A GOVERNMENT AGENCY OR RAILROAD WHO:
.
- IS AUTHORIZED BY LAW TO ENGAGE IN OR SUPERVISE THE PREVENTION, DETECTION, INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION OR THE INCARCERATION OF ANY PERSON FOR ANY VIOLATION OF LAW,

- HAS STATUTORY POWERS OF ARREST,

- IS AUTHORIZED BY THE AGENCY TO CARRY A FIREARM,

- IS NOT THE SUBJECT OF ANY DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY THE AGENCY,

- MEETS THE STANDARDS, IF ANY, ESTABLISHED BY THE AGENCY WHICH REQUIRE THE EMPLOYEE TO REGULARLY QUALIFY IN THE USE OF A FIREARM,

- IS NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR OTHER INTOXICATING OR HALLUCINATORY DRUG OR SUBSTANCE, AND

- IS NOT PROHIBITED BY FEDERAL LAW FROM POSSESSING A FIREARM.

3. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS A NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT INDIVIDUAL PERMITTED TO CARRY A FIREARM ABOARD AMTRAK TRAINS.

.
4. FIREARMS, AMMUNITION AND/OR OTHER WEAPONS, WHETHER OR NOT PACKAGED, ARE PROHIBITED IN CARRY-ON BAGGAGE OR ON THE PERSON AT ALL TIMES, EVEN IF THE PERSON HAS A PERMIT TO
CARRY. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS, OTHER THAN AS STATED IN SECTIONS 1 AND 2.


5. FIREARMS, AMMUNITION AND OTHER WEAPONS ARE NEVER PERMITTED IN CHECKED BAGGAGE OR IN AMTRAK EXPRESS.

We hope this information is helpful.

Sincerely,
Barbara
Amtrak Customer Service

TRACKING NUMBER: A00000832610-00003149176

It is unclear whether this is based on law, or strictly company policy. It is worth noting, however, that they have their own police force - Amtrak railroad police and are quasi-regulated by the Federal Government - therefore it is conceivable that there is a deeply buried federal law backing this up that the railroad police will of course know about. If anyone researches this any further, please let us know.

Probably better to drive or fly.

The information in this FAQ post should be considered "as-is" and is not guaranteed to be accurate in any way. The maintainers of this site make an effort, when possible, to try to verify the information, but we are not lawyers and, therefore, we cannot and will not give legal advice. If you need accurate answers, hire an attorney who is licensed in the state in question that specializes in firearms. It is completely up to the reader to verify ALL information contained in this FAQ post.