I agree with OBS gone freight. I am responsible for my guns, and will never allow them to be transported in a baggage car which is not secure for the entire trip. Also, how does Amtrak deal with state-to-state firearms laws? Seems kind of sticky to me.
It is sticky, but Amtrak doesn't seem to have a choice in the matter.
I have never understood people who want to own handguns. I have used and owned rifles and shotguns in my time for the purposes that those weapons are usefully suited- satisfying my preference for game meat at costs that aren't what supermarkets charge. A handgun has one purpose- shooting people. They don't have the aim or the power to knock down a large (say, a bear) or fast (a deer, a rabbit, a bird) animal. They can be quickly aimed at a nearby target.
If you can get close enough to an animal to reliably hit them with a handgun, you might as well save yourself the cost of the bullet, pick the thing up, and break its neck. Now, I have since grown up a little. I don't think it very sporting to kill animals with guns. I prefer a bow and arrow. Yeah, the animal frequently gets away- often unhit. But at least I know that I am getting a weaker animal, and perhaps helping to improve the breed.
Likewise, I fail to see the need for people to own assault weapons. I hear "collecting", but I fail to see a need for a "collecting" weapon to be able to fire. Filling in the barrel is a nice idea there. I also completely and utterly fail to see the sport in killing a deer with a M-16. Very fair.
Or the person who told me that they hunt using a gatling gun. That's just great. You get excellent meat that way. Liquified deer. Stew anyone? And there is no sport in that. Go play Counter Strike or something. Seriously.
All that being said, it doesn't bother me if someone wants to check their cherished or preferred hunting weapon on Amtrak for travel to a place they plan on hunting. So long as Amtrak secures it, anyway.
But I still say the majority of gun owners, and I'm including hunters in this, are compensating for something.