Rapiscan's Backscatter Machines May End Up In US Federal Buildings

McGruber writes "The Federal Times, a weekly print newspaper published by Gamnett Government Media Corp, is reporting that the Rapiscan Systems 'backscatter' passenger screening machines used by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration will likely be redeployed to federal buildings. Rapiscan System's backscatter machines have exposed passengers to radiation since they were first installed. As previously reported on Slashdot, TSA decided last month to stop using the machines because the manufacturer was unable to make changes to the machines that were mandated by Congress. Now TSA is attempting to sucker another federal agency into taking the nude-o-scopes."

Re:Congress?

[Ferzerp]

Incorrect. Backscatter machines use very low amounts of ionizing radiation.

You're confusing them with the models being left in place, the "millimeter wave" ones, which do not.

Re:I almost hope they do it...

[JoshuaZ]

You are massively confusing two distinct issues. The Second Amendment is about a well-regulate militia. The Fourth Amendment is for reasonable search and seizure. Objecting to backscatter X-rays is, unlike the gun nuts, defended by classical readings of the Fourth Amendment. That's aside from the serious issue of exposing people to radiation with minimal safety precautions. Moreover, doing this with federal buildings would be a lot worse. You can at least have other alternatives to flying (long car travel, train travel, boat travel). But when one needs to go do something at a federal agency one doesn't have any options.

Re:Congress?

[LMariachi]

Congress members are already exempt from security screening at the Capitol and their other office buildings. See here [wikipedia.org] for a relevant funny story, if your definition of funny includes a *headdesk* and general despair for the country and the human race in general.

Re:I almost hope they do it...

[misexistentialist]

The Second Amendment is about a well-regulate militia

No, it's not. Just like the 4th prohibits the government from searching the people the 2nd prohibits disarming the people. You get the lowest level of freedom you accept: you probably support NYC stop-and-frisk because you are scared of guns, so stop resisting government control and relax.