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Smith Amendment To Arm Airline Pilots Adopted In The U.S. Senate
GOA ^ | October 11, 2001

Posted on 10/12/2001 2:44:52 AM PDT by Movemout

Gun Owners of America E-Mail/FAX Alert
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408

October 11, 2001

Congratulations!

Earlier today, the Senate, via a unanimous consent vote, adopted the Bob Smith (R-NH)/Frank Murkowski (R-AK) amendment to allow airline pilots to carry firearms. The amendment was also cosponsored by Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Conrad Burns (R-MT).

The bill now goes to the House. After that, it will probably go to a House-Senate conference to work out the details.

This is an enormous victory for GOA members who lobbied relentlessly to sway reluctant senators.

BUT THE BATTLE IS NOT OVER!

Next week, the House will take up its version of the Aviation Security Bill. A number of congressmen are considering offering amendments to arm pilots, but they must first secure the approval of the House leadership and the House Rules Committee in order to offer any amendment.

ACTION: Please contact House Speaker Dennis Hastert, House Republican Leader Dick Armey, and House Republican Whip Tom DeLay and demand that they allow the House to vote on the armed pilots amendment in connection with the Aviation Security Bill.

Contact Info:

Rep. Dennis Hastert
E-mail: dhastert@mail.house.gov
Phone: 202-225-2976
Fax: 202-225-0697

Rep. Dick Armey
No Public E-mail
Phone: 202-225-7772
Fax: 202-226-8100

Rep. Tom DeLay
No Public E-mail
Phone: 202-225-5951
Fax: 202-225-5241

----- Pre-written message -----

Dear Representative __________:

When the Aviation Security Act comes before the House, I hope you will use your leadership position to allow amendments to the bill that would let pilots be armed.

There are plenty of aviation engineers who agree that bullet holes will not cause a massive depressurization in a plane. If depressurization was truly a concern, then why are we even considering putting air marshals on planes? Their bullets will be no different from the ones being used by the pilots. But more to the point, there is no way we can get an air marshal on all 35,000 daily flights.

So the only way to deter these terrorists is to make sure that our last line of defense -- the pilots -- can protect the plane. Reinforcing the cockpit doors is also a good idea, but it's not a panacea. Are we to assume that on a long trip the door will NEVER be opened? That pilots will NEVER take a bathroom break? That there is no one among the flight crew who will ever have the keys or security codes to open the door?

Reinforcing the cockpit doors can help. But the only way to stop terrorism on board aircraft is to let these villains know in advance that, if they ever try to invade the cockpit, they'll be sorry.

Please support language that will allow pilots to be armed, and thus, will enable them to protect the lives of their crewmembers and passengers.

Thank you.

**************

If you are a pilot, or work in the aerospace industry, please let GOA know by dropping an e-mail to goamail@gunowners.org at your convenience.


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 10/12/2001 2:44:52 AM PDT by Movemout
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To: Movemout
The dems love this! More federal employees.This may be altered in the House

A screener doing a shi%^y job at $6.50 an hour will still do a shi&^y job at $15.00,they'll just be harder to fire.

2 posted on 10/12/2001 3:02:30 AM PDT by mdittmar
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To: mdittmar
Note to self!,read posts before replying.

To all,this was a response to the Senate Airport protection Bill that passed the Senate 9/11!

3 posted on 10/12/2001 3:05:05 AM PDT by mdittmar
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To: Dan from Michigan
ping
4 posted on 10/12/2001 3:11:22 AM PDT by riley1992
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To: Movemout
Well, good for Bob Smith...wouldn't it be a shame if a guy like him were not around to push ammendments like this: little Johnny Sununu Jr. call your office.
5 posted on 10/12/2001 3:21:45 AM PDT by Norwell
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To: Norwell
I think a lot of Smith. Too bad he is in the land of the left. I hope he can last it out. The incumbent edge is mighty thin if you are a Pubbie up there.
6 posted on 10/12/2001 3:33:51 AM PDT by Movemout
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To: Movemout
Move, it's gonna be vetoed, one way, or another!

The very IDEA of allowing Private-Citizens, AKA 'Airline-Pilots', to carry firearms on an Interstate basis, will expose all the un-Constitutional laws that have been enacted over the years, and render them ALL, NULL AND VOID!

Allowing Airline Pilots to carry arms from State-to-State would afirm the Second Ammendment, and destroy the Brady-Bunch!

Reality is a bitch! The Airlines are gonna go broke! Their security sucks! Without Certified, Armned Pilots, and Certified, Armned, Air-Marshall, Regular Passengers, our so-called Airlines are gonna go BANKRUPT!!

I don't want to bail these bastards out with my tax dollars! Let them go out of business!

Cheap airplanes = 'SIX-GUN AIRLINES!' Our motto is: "Everybody is armned, so, let's have a soda, and talk about football! ....FRegards

7 posted on 10/12/2001 6:41:27 AM PDT by gonzo
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To: gonzo
Strong sentiments. I am glad that we can discuss them in our society.
8 posted on 10/12/2001 6:58:17 AM PDT by Movemout
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To: riley1992
Thank God Conrad Burns and Bob Smith won their re-elections last time(Smith is up again too). Mike Enzi is a good guy as well, but safe. As for Murkowski, he isn't 100% with us, but usually leans our way. He came through here as well.

I wish it was recorded vote. I can guess the votes Stabusall and Lenin safely....:(

9 posted on 10/12/2001 7:03:48 AM PDT by Dan from Michigan
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To: Movemout
Thanks for the heads-up, I called :

Rep. Dennis Hastert

Phone: 202-225-2976

Rep. Dick Armey

Phone: 202-225-7772

Rep. Tom DeLay

Phone: 202-225-5951

For those who are a little nervous about calling, don't be. The people who answer are probably just kids (OK I'm 53 so almost everyone else is a kid!) who take messages. Begin by giving your name and city/state. That helps them by letting them know that your probably not going to rag on them. Then state that you are calling to ask that Tom Delay (or whoever) support bringing the vote on the armed pilots amendment of the Aviation Security Bill to the floor.

It takes only about 30 seconds.........call now, and make a difference.

10 posted on 10/12/2001 8:55:28 AM PDT by Balding_Eagle
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To: Movemout
Thanks for the heads-up, I called :

Rep. Dennis Hastert

Phone: 202-225-2976

Rep. Dick Armey

Phone: 202-225-7772

Rep. Tom DeLay

Phone: 202-225-5951

For those who are a little nervous about calling, don't be. The people who answer are probably just kids (OK I'm 53 so almost everyone else is a kid!) who take messages. Begin by giving your name and city/state. That helps them by letting them know that your probably not going to rag on them. Then state that you are calling to ask that Tom Delay (or whoever) support bringing the vote on the armed pilots amendment of the Aviation Security Bill to the floor.

It takes only about 30 seconds.........call now, and make a difference.

11 posted on 10/12/2001 8:56:36 AM PDT by Balding_Eagle
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To: Norwell
"...little Johnny Sununu Jr. call your office."

Hehehe...I love it!

Every American who treasures our right to self-defense, as outlined in the Second Amendment, should send Bob a few bucks...he is our greatest champion in the U.S. Senate.

If we don't help him, he is going to be run over by RINOs...

12 posted on 10/12/2001 9:05:56 AM PDT by EternalVigilance
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To: Dan from Michigan
I can guess the votes Stabusall and Lenin safely..

Yep. Contacting them has become a monumental exercise in futility.

13 posted on 10/12/2001 10:02:21 AM PDT by riley1992
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To: Bang List
Bump
14 posted on 10/12/2001 6:17:46 PM PDT by pray4liberty
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To: Movemout
"...Strong sentiments. I am glad that we can discuss them in our society..."

With all my heart, I thank you for your comment, Movemout!! I moved to this Great Country and became a citizen for those exact reasons!

If I cross the line here on FR, plenty of people will let me know, and that's OK with me! The fact that we have a forum where we can freely speak our minds is an absolute delight!

It's good to hear from you, friend. Stay well and vigilant....Fregards

15 posted on 10/12/2001 6:48:39 PM PDT by gonzo
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To: gonzo
Welcome to our free society, although it appears that you have been here awhile. It is people like you who know what freedom means who will ensure that we keep it.
16 posted on 10/13/2001 1:37:39 AM PDT by Movemout
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To: Movemout
Hey, I only beat ya by 8 days, pal! Gad, can you imagine living in Canada, and having to sort-out everything that you say, so-as to not offend any ethnic-group in the whole world?

I don't know about you, pal, but just typing that, made me laugh my ass off! Stay well and vigilant, friend....FRegards

17 posted on 10/13/2001 4:35:40 AM PDT by gonzo
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