"you've angered us by telling the truth"

[nyffman]

http://www.news10.net/news/article.aspx ... &catid=188

At the same time as the federal marshals took the pilot's gun, a deputy sheriff asked him to surrender his state-issued permit to carry a concealed weapon.

A follow-up letter from the sheriff's department said the CCW permit would be reevaluated following the outcome of the federal investigation.

[PileDriver]

Okay, I can see him getting flack, that's expected. I can even see them taking his issued gun, hell, they own it.

But his state carry permit? WTF?

I don't follow crap like this often due to my high blood pressure, but this one is interesting.

[TC95GT]

I thought the government was encouraging people to report suspicious activity and national security issues. Hell they even came out with the PatriotApp for the Iphone to make it easy and convenient.

It appears to me they want us to report on our fellow citizens but exposing anything that makes them look bad is strictly verboten. No that could never happen in the U.S. I'm just being paranoid.

[DeanC]

They are just trying to keep us safe from the seething Muslim horde. We should trust them.

[gyrfalcon]

Do pilots have some sort of NDA with the TSA? Can the TSA/Government come to our houses and confiscate our permits and firearms if we posted videos about holes in Airport security too? (or do they just award us by throwing us on the do not fly list?)

If I was given government permission and fake devices I'm utterly confident I could get them on-board a number of commercial and passenger jets without any major issues. There would really be no need for them to want me to do this though... The government already knows it misses something like 75+% of dangerous object brought through screening stations in their own testing.

[Dave Pendleton]

I want more information about being "deputized by TSA."

TSA is not a law enforcement agency.

[hammAR]

I want more information about being "deputized by TSA."

TSA is not a law enforcement agency.

You think not...............they can and will nail you...

Look up the the requirements for TSA Screeners. TSA employs the worst mouth-breathing HS dropouts (Seriously. GED is NOT required) as screeners, give them $30k/yr a badge and uniform and authority with impunity over thousands of people every day.

Do they have law enforcement authority and arrest powers? They might. Enter the law which give TSA its mandate: PUBLIC LAW 107–71—NOV. 19, 2001 aka the Aviation and Transportation Security Act or ATSA. In part it sates in part:

(q) LAW ENFORCEMENT POWERS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary may designate an
employee of the Transportation Security Administration to
serve as a law enforcement officer.
(2) POWERS.—While engaged in official duties of the
Administration as required to fulfill the responsibilities under
this section, a law enforcement officer designated under paragraph (1) may—
(A) carry a firearm;
(B) make an arrest without a warrant for any offense
against the United States committed in the presence of
the officer, or for any felony cognizable under the laws
of the United States if the officer has probable cause to
believe that the person to be arrested has committed or
is committing the felony; and
(C) seek and execute warrants for arrest or seizure
of evidence issued under the authority of the United States
upon probable cause that a violation has been committed.

But it does not specify which TSA employees the Undersecretary for TSA may designate. So the way I read this, that high school dropout who is rummaging around through your kids' underwear this holiday traveling season may, in fact, be able to arrest you with the authority of a Federal Agent. Apparently the Undersecretary can just tap someone to be the Cop-Of-The-Day, here's your gun; or some such. Sweet!

Just be passive, follow instructions, get in line and put on your best, submissive expression when you travel. And be ready to get patted down. That pesky 4th Amendment stuff? Well, maybe we'll get back to that someday.

[cmj685]

I thought the government was encouraging people to report suspicious activity and national security issues. Hell they even came out with the PatriotApp for the Iphone to make it easy and convenient.

It appears to me they want us to report on our fellow citizens but exposing anything that makes them look bad is strictly verboten. No that could never happen in the U.S. I'm just being paranoid.

You justa' 'bout can't say it better than this.

[bstrawse]

I want more information about being "deputized by TSA."

TSA is not a law enforcement agency.

Federal Flight Deck Officers are certified by TSA's Air Marshal's Service to carry firearms. See: http://www.tsa.gov/lawenforcement/programs/ffdo.shtm

TSA also certifies Armed Security Officers for flights on private aircraft in Reagan airport in Washington, DC. See: http://www.tsa.gov/lawenforcement/programs/aso.shtm

TSA also has a law enforcement division, which is primarily the Federal Air Marshal's Service:
http://www.tsa.gov/lawenforcement/index.shtm

[bstrawse]

Also- TSA has a small investigative arm somewhere in that Office of Law Enforcement where there are at least a handful of special agents.

When I was in DC about a month ago, my boss and I saw a group of plainclothes TSA officers wearing black polo shirts that said "TSA Special Operations" arrest a guy at the security checkpoint. Wasn't close enough to see what the issue was - but he was handcuffed and walked away...
b

[tman]

I thought the government was encouraging people to report suspicious activity and national security issues. Hell they even came out with the PatriotApp for the Iphone to make it easy and convenient.

It appears to me they want us to report on our fellow citizens but exposing anything that makes them look bad is strictly verboten. No that could never happen in the U.S. I'm just being paranoid.

Difference between "reporting" and publishing to the internets?

Perhaps this is the issue.

[pondrast]

the government is becoming more and more concerned about the danger the citizens pose. Holder says he is losing sleep over it http://americaswatchtower.com/2010/12/2 ... more-19220

[xd ED]

I thought the government was encouraging people to report suspicious activity and national security issues. Hell they even came out with the PatriotApp for the Iphone to make it easy and convenient.

It appears to me they want us to report on our fellow citizens but exposing anything that makes them look bad is strictly verboten. No that could never happen in the U.S. I'm just being paranoid.

Difference between "reporting" and publishing to the internets?

Perhaps this is the issue.

I can accept that YouTube might not be the best first stop for airing security concerns (and nothing I've read suggests he was rebuffed by TSA, or other authorities), but on what grounds does he get a personal firearm confiscated? If the guy is deemed any kind of hazard he should first be removed from the left seat.

[nyffman]

Difference between "reporting" and publishing to the internets?

Perhaps this is the issue.

That's the most charitable response for the govt. reaction that I could have come up with too. I'm sure it makes the TSA uncomfortable to be confronted with evidence of their ineptitude. But, retribution? How does that help fulfill their supposed mission of making us all safer? I have been scouring the interwebs with my, admittedly limited skills to learn if this guy violated any actual laws in recording these videos but have not yet found anything. Until further notice, I will remain firm in my conviction that govt bureaucrats are to be considered the enemies of the people until proven otherwise.

[Heffay]

I can accept that YouTube might not be the best first stop for airing security concerns

He should have sent it to wikileaks.