CQB—Close Quarters Combat—is not the same in one’s residence as it is in a crowded public space, especially a space in which several modes of poorly planned public transit and long passageways prompt commuters to rush in a way that might prompt an armed person to react in an unfavourable fashion.

I concur with the concern regarding colour-coded firearms. They are usually deployed along with personnel whose lethal rounds can back up a situation that a clearly marked non-lethal Taser device or bean-bag device fails to deter.

In this case, however, a well-trained armed guard with a lethal pistol is what is required. The architecture at Union Station is solid—unlike that of a personal residence where pine frames and drywall tend to be all that separates most rooms—and a properly trained person would be able to guide a rifled bullet to its intended target with a finesse that a non-rifled slug or rapidly widening blast of shot could not possibly perform.

brianguy: As for the future of fare collection duties, I would caution against never saying never.

also this was a good article and appreciated, except for all the “Sherrif’s” sprinkled throughout. spellcheck more.

As for what type of firearm is best for that situation, I’m no expert, but I would think that beanbag-type guns would be best for the sheriffs to carry in this situation, although if people could recognize that they were non-lethal weapons, they would probably lose some of their deterrent effect.

I once spoke with my buddy, a former police officer, about what he thought about guns as weapons of home defense. He said he thought shotguns were probably the best bet, because a shotgun fired at close range is deadly, but at a moderate distance the shot pellets spread out, become less dangerous, and are less likely to penetrate walls. Whereas handguns can more easily penetrate interior walls of ones home at large distances, increasing the likelihood of accidentally harming one’s own family members if firing inside the home at an intruder.

I watched in amazement as these two very serious people strolled through the throngs of mid-afternoon commuters, thinking how many people could get maimed or killed in the event of a heist. I also thought that in the event of a firefight, the agencies responsible might lose a lot more money (and favourable public opinion) than could be possibly “protected” after being sued by innocent bystanders mowed down by shotgun blasts.

Nope. Shotgun with spare shells on the strap. All to protect ticket stock?

Will it be 2 out of 3?

Will it be 3 out of 5?

Or will it be contracted out to the same goons who do said for Metrolink while brandishing a shotgun (always a precise weapon in crowded situations-NOT!) ?

Now can we lock the door and say “No” to Breda and the company that makes the turnstiles?