Arming Pilots: Keep Up The Pressure
on Magaw & Mineta
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"...[J]ust as we trust pilots to be able to fly complicated aircraft, we can trust them to be able to use a firearm as a last line of defense against terrorist hijackers..." |
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Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Undersecretary John Magaw
and Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Norman Mineta need to
continue to hear from the millions of Americans who support allowing
properly trained commercial airline pilots and other flight deck crew to
have access to firearms as a last line of defense against terrorist
hijackers. Both Magaw and Mineta have stated their opposition to the
idea of armed pilots, even though pilots and the general public
overwhelmingly support it. Unfortunately, the major airlines are
opposed to the concept, and have exerted enough pressure on the DOT to
officially oppose arming pilots, despite the more than 5,000 favorable
comments reportedly received by the FAA in evaluating the issue.
Contact Secretary Mineta and Undersecretary Magaw and remind them that,
just as we trust pilots to be able to fly complicated aircraft, we can
trust them to be able to use a firearm as a last line of defense against
terrorist hijackers. Also remind them that poll after poll shows the
general public also trusts airline pilots with firearms in the cockpit.
You can contact both the DOT and TSA using the same mailing address:
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Washington, DC, 20590
E-mail can be sent to the DOT
at dot.comments@ost.dot.gov, and to the TSA at 9-AWA-TELLFAA@faa.gov.
In addition, there are two bills in Congress that would provide for the
arming of properly trained flight deck crew. H.R. 4635 - introduced by
U.S. Representatives John Mica (R-Fla.) and
Don Young (R-Alas.) - has 31
co-sponsors, and is gaining support. S. 2554 - introduced by Bob Smith (R-N.H.) - has five co-sponsors. The Senate bill would also
provide self defense training for flight attendants. Please contact
your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121 and your U.S. Representative at
(202) 225-3121, and urge them to co-sponsor these bills. Those on the
Internet can find additional contact information by using our "Write Your
Reps" tool at
NRAILA.org.
Related Stories...
More About Federal Issues
Magaw & Mineta Say "NO" to Armed Pilots (May 2002)
Call to Arm Pilots Grows Louder (May 2002)
Airline Pilots Petition President Bush (Apr. 2002)
Aviation Security Bill Includes Armed Pilots Language (Nov. 2001)
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