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Call to Arm Pilots Grows Louder
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"...[T]here
has been no implementation of a program to train and equip flight deck
crew members who wish to be prepared to use firearms as a last resort to
defend commercial aircraft from hijackers..." |
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Rep. Mica (R-FL) |
Rep. Young (R-AS) |
Congress, this week, revisited one of the recurring topics
raised during last week's Annual Meetings - the idea of allowing properly
trained flight crew on commercial aircraft to be permitted to carry
firearms to defend their aircraft.
U.S. Representatives John Mica
(R-Fla.) and
Don Young (R-Alas.) recently introduced H.R. 4635, which
seeks to establish a training program for arming flight crew, and on
Thursday, the House Subcommittee on Aviation held hearings to discuss
the subject.
In addition, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators held a press
conference to announce the introduction of a companion bill to H.R. 4635
in the Senate. The group of Senators included
Conrad Burns (R-Mt.),
Zell Miller (R-Ga.),
Frank Murkowski (R-Alas.), and
Bob Smith (R-N.H.).
Although President Bush signed into law the "Aviation and
Transportation Security Act of 2001" last November, which includes
language that allows properly trained commercial pilots, co-pilots, and
flight engineers to carry firearms aboard commercial airplanes, there
has been no implementation of a program to train and equip flight deck
crew members who wish to be prepared to use firearms as a last resort to
defend commercial aircraft from hijackers.
Two weeks ago, we told you about an
online petition spearheaded by
several airline pilot organizations. The petition is being promoted to
urge Congress and President Bush to move ahead to ensure the
establishment of a program that will properly train and equip flight
crew to act as an effective last line of defense against terrorists or
other hijackers.
If you have not yet signed the online petition urging President
Bush to support arming airline flight crew, the deadline to sign has
been extended. Please be sure to add your support. The petition can be
found at http://secure-skies.org/. Also be sure to urge your U.S.
Representative to support H.R. 4635, which seeks to implement the
training program through legislation, rather than administratively. You
can reach your U.S. Representative by calling (202) 225-3121. For those
on the Internet, you can find additional contact information by using
the "Write Your
Reps" tool at
NRAILA.org.
Related Stories...
More About Federal Issues
Airline Pilots Petition President Bush (Apr. 2002)
Aviation Security Bill Includes Armed Pilots Language (Nov. 2001)
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