Gas Masks Ordered for U.S. Capitol Tue Jun 25,10:18 PM ET

By LESLIE MILLER, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Capitol Police have ordered 25,000 gas masks to help protect tourists, members of Congress and their staffs in the event of a chemical or biological attack, a congressional official said Tuesday.

The so-called quick masks will be stored around the building as part of new safety measures put in place after Sept. 11, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The decision to buy the masks wasn't a response to any specific threat, the official said.

"The reason we're doing it is because the Capitol was targeted for a bioterrorist attack, the anthrax attack," the aide said.

Anthrax-tainted letters sent to the Capitol killed two postal workers in October.

Gas masks have been a security feature on the House floor for years, the official said. "The (the police) were basically just trying ton include tourists."

Quick masks aren't quite gas masks, but hoods that filter chemical gases and biological particles through a fitted mouthpiece. They're used by paramedics, firefighters and police officers who first respond to emergencies.

Quick masks sell for $150 each on a Web site hosted by Kennesaw, Ga.-based Brigade Quartermasters.

Telephone calls to the Capitol Police seeking comment were not immediately returned.

Capitol Police, responsible for security at the Capitol's sprawling complex, will tell members of Congress about the masks during a meeting on Wednesday, the official said.

Security has been tightened considerably at the Capitol since the attacks on the Pentagon ( news - web sites) and the World Trade Center.

Metal posts and street barriers are being installed on the perimeter of the building grounds, visitors have their bags searched and the Capitol Police hired 700 more officers.

-- (what do they know now @ that they. aren't telling us?), June 26, 2002

Answers

What about the rest of the taxpayers? They spend $4 million of our money without our permission and don't even ask if we want one?!!

-- (selfish@gubmint.bastards), June 26, 2002.

Terrorists are not likely to strike Spreckles, North Dakota.

-- (duh@duh.duh), June 26, 2002.

They aren't likely to strike Bumfuck, Idaho either, dipshit.

-- lol (pull head @ out. of cow), June 27, 2002.