Government-subsidized Amtrak is finally coming in line with a federal 2009 mandate that it allow passengers to transport firearms aboard its train cars.

Amtrak says it will now allow unloaded firearms in checked baggage on trains starting Dec. 15. The change forced Amtrak to retrofit its train cars for gun storage.

The new gun allowance, however, doesn't come without its hoops. Riders are required to make reservations for the firearms at least 24 hours in advance and show up 30 minutes prior to boarding, according to the train service. In addition, riders must store the guns in locked, hard, Amtrak-approved cases, and the transporting passenger must have the only key or combination to the lock.

In 2009, Congress passed a law requiring Amtrak to change its policy to allow firearm transportation or else lose its federal funding.

(H/T: Washington Examiner)