Hotel staff in New York are being trained to spot rifle bags after the Las Vegas massacre which saw gunman Stephen Paddock sneak 23 weapons into his suite at the Mandalay Bay over several days.
Paddock, 64, smuggled the weapons in in 13 suitcases over several days before unleashing terror on crowds at the Route 91 Harvest festival.
The Mandalay Bay hotel has not commented on its security since the atrocity. The shooting killed 58 people and another 489 were injured.
In New York City, there was a heightened police presence in major tourist spots in the days which followed it.
The NYPD is training hotel staff across the city to identify guests carrying guns in their bags after Sunday’s Las Vegas attack (file image of Times Square)
Police say they want bell hops to know the difference between a suitcase and a rifle bag or case (above)
Another view of a standard rifle carrier. Officers say it is important for hospitality staff to be able to identify them
But police officers are now taking extra precautions to prevent a similar atrocity occurring on their watch.
While Paddock used suitcases, the NYPD is training hotel staff to tell the difference between rifle bags and golf bags.
They have not released how exactly they will train staff. Police are regularly in touch with hotels and public transit staff across the city.
The added training on luggage comes after Sunday’s attack which was the worst mass shooting in US history.
‘Everybody knows what a rifle looks like. But what does a gun case look like, as opposed to a golf bag or regular luggage?
‘So we have added that in,’ Deputy Police Commissioner John Miller told ABC.
Tourists who were asked about the strategy supported it on Wednesday but argued that the hotel staff deserved to be paid more if they were expected to act as the first defense against potential disaster.
Stephen Paddock smashed two windows of his suite on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel to be able to fire at crowds below
Paddock checked in to the room – which was comped – days before the atrocity and gradually brought his weapons in. He ordered room service at least once
After the shooting, the gunman was found dead inside the room with his weapons scattered around him
‘If they’re going to train them, are they going to pay them a little bit more?
‘Their main job is to take care of the people that are coming here – their luggage, all that stuff,’ one person at the Hilton Midtown told CBS local station 1010 Wins.
Security experts have spoken out since Sunday’s shooting to say it will be almost ‘impossible’ to prevent people from bringing in weapons.
Staff at the Mandalay Bay hotel have not commented on what measures they took to prevent the atrocity since it happened.
Local police however commended their security teams as ‘fantastic’ and have given special commendation to a lone security guard who was injured by Paddock in the middle of the chaos.
Paddock was staying in a $500-a-night suite for free when he carried out the attack.
The hotel comped him the room because he was a loyal customer who spent thousands on the gambling tables during visits.
The Mandalay Bay hotel has not commented on its security protocol since the shooting