Posted on 09/26/2001 4:43:42 PM PDT by Utah Girl
Brady Campaign Statement on Airline Security
U.S. Newswire
26 Sep 17:04
Brady Campaign Statement on Recent Proposals to Increase Airline
Security, Including Arming Pilots
To: National Desk
Contact: Amy Stilwell of The Brady Campaign To Prevent Gun
Violence, 202-898-0792
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Michael D. Barnes,
President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, today
issued the following statement regarding recent proposals to
increase airline security by arming pilots of commercial aircraft:
"The terrorist attacks of September 11 have inspired, and
rightly so, a national debate regarding how best to heighten
security at U.S. airports and on commercial flights. In this
difficult time, we understand the intense fears of airline pilots,
passengers and crew following the horrific hijackings, and we
support doing everything we can to strengthen aircraft and airport
security.
"However, we do have some serious concerns about recent
proposals to arm airline pilots. Safety begins with prevention. We
need to make sure that armed terrorists are not able to board
aircraft in the first place. In addition to dramatically increasing
security at the airport (for instance, enhancing cockpit security
and intensifying passenger and luggage screening), there are
tangible things we can do to make our 'homeland' safer.
"These measures include requiring background checks on all gun
sales to prevent criminals, and would-be terrorists, from obtaining
guns, and retaining records of gun purchases, so that weapons can
be traced if they are used in a crime or terrorist act. If we can
detect terrorists while they are attempting to amass their
arsenals, we can help to prevent future attacks and take a key step
forward in the effort to boost the security of all Americans.
"Over the coming weeks and months, we can expect to see many
proposals geared toward augmenting security on commercial flights.
These proposals, in particular the question of whether to arm
pilots, should be considered with great care. There are a number of
questions that need to be answered before we proceed. Can we ensure
that a weapon on an airplane will not fall into the wrong hands?
Could firing the gun in a plane compromise its integrity, causing
it to crash? When would pilots be authorized to use guns?
"The FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration are looking at
this issue, and we support their desire to study it. At a minimum,
we need to ensure that anyone armed on a plane meets strict
qualifications and is trained as a sworn federal law enforcement
officer. Air marshals are an appropriate response to stopping
terrorism in the air because they are law enforcement officers who
are continually trained in firearms safety, appropriate use of
force, and shoot/don't-shoot scenarios. Trained air marshals would
have one purpose, which is to monitor the airplane and protect the
passengers and crew.
"Finally, models exist for preventing terrorism on aircraft
without arming pilots exist. One such example is El Al, the Israeli
airlines. I have traveled on El Al and was impressed with its
security program. While we cannot draw exact parallels between the
El Al and the entire U.S. airline industry, we should closely
examine all such models and learn from their experience."
um, you are accepting their premise, that guns in the hands of anyone
less than federal agents, is bad.
these people don’t care about self defense, or crime prevention.
these people care about taking citizen’s guns. period.
The brady bunch got all arms banned on flights and it worked. The arabs used no guns. They used single edged razor blades in plastic handles. That is how they got them thru security.
But if they took all knives away, people can be killed with a piece of cat gut ukelele string and two ball point pens. But in far less training than it takes to fly a plane person can be taught to kill with their bare hands. Almost anyone can be taught to do it in a short time.
For many people hands and feet are certainly lethal weapons.
Once when I was a small boy my dad and I were helping my grandfather butcher cows. Grandpa's gun would not fire, so Dad killed the steers with one blow each from his right hand. I figure he could have killed a human easily if he had ever wanted to do so.
the rest is the sales job. i know what you meant, and i just posted before thinking.
these people make me angry. sorry.
Already in place. Perhaps background checks should also include those purchasing box cutters and gillette razor blades
retaining records of gun purchases, so that weapons can be traced if they are used in a crime or terrorist act.
Already in place and in violation of the law. But I will go on record right here and now that if I am required to register my Gillette razor or submit to a background check in order to purchase another one, I will grow a beard!
If we can detect terrorists while they are attempting to amass their arsenals...
While at the local F&M I saw a suspicious guy purchasing several packs of Schick razor blades. I attempted to call the FBI but at 6:15 p.m. they were gone for the day.....
And "preventing violence" is certainly a valid reason for "confiscating all privately owned weapons," can't it?
Not one terrorist used or carried a gun in this entire dispicable attack. Not one report that I know of mentioned a gun on the person of any of the hundreds that have been detained or arrested in connection with the investigations.
But fascists like Sarah "Goebbels" Brady will never let reason stand between them and their fanatical desires.
yikes. well, okay.
as long as you don’t start wearing a turban, too.
I would feel safer in an airplane knowing the pilot had a gun, then if all I had was a National ID card to protect me.
Unless the ID card was 6 feet high 3 feet wide and ½ inch thick steel plate.
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