Free Republic

<p>The Bush administration plans to adopt a small-scale test program of arming commercial pilots, reversing its previous opposition to guns in the cockpit.</p> <p>The administration is modeling its plan after similar proposals that circulated in Congress this summer. One such plan would have armed as many as 1,400 pilots, about 2% of those flying.</p>

Arming Pilots Against Terrorism and Cabin Defense Act of 2002 (Introduced in Senate) S 2554 IS 107th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2554 To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish a program for Federal flight deck officers, and for other purposes. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 23, 2002 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire (for himself, Mr. MILLER, Mr. MURKOWSKI, Mr. BURNS, Mr. BUNNING, and Mr. THURMOND) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A BILL To amend title 49, United States Code, to establish...

Capitol Hill (CNSNews.com) - The new acting director of the Transportation Security Agency says he is "hesitant" about proposals to train and voluntarily arm commercial airline pilots with deadly weapons to defend against terrorist attacks. Adm. James Loy, acting Undersecretary for Transportation Security, made the statement to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Thursday morning. "I need to learn about this and get up the learning curve very quickly," he said of proposals that the TSA screen, train, and arm pilot volunteers to serve as a last line of defense against potential terrorist hijackings. "I can say that...

Senator Fritz Hollings, D-SC, has reportedly snubbed a bid by the widow of the pilot whose jetliner was hijacked and crashed into Tower 2 of the World Trade Center because he disagrees with her support for arming pilots in the cockpit. Ellen Saracini, whose husband piloted United Airlines Flight 175 on Sept. 11, told Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly late Wednesday that she wrote to Hollings requesting to testify before the Science and Transportation Committee, which he chairs. Saracini's request was seconded by one of Sen. Hollings' colleagues. "I have a letter right here that was addressed to the senator,"...

The Bush administration is reconsidering its opposition to letting airline pilots carry guns, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta told the House Transportation aviation subcommittee today. Afterward, spokesman Chet Lunner said Mineta was not responding to congressional pressure to arm pilots, but simply asking the new head of the Transportation Security Administration, retired Coast Guard Adm. James Loy, to review an old policy. "The secretary expects Admiral Loy, with a new set of eyes, to take a look at everything we're doing," Lunner said. The Associated Press reported: "Loy's predecessor, John Magaw, announced in May that he would not arm pilots, though...

Debate on the Bill (HR 4635) to allow for a two-year test program just started in the House of Representatives

Filed at 2:59 p.m. ET SAN DIEGO (AP) -- An American Airlines pilot faces misdemeanor charges for toting a loaded gun in his carry-on baggage while trying to board a plane at the San Diego airport. William F. Blaylock told authorities he uses the gun for hunting and personal protection and had forgotten to remove it from his bag before heading to Lindbergh Field on April 23. The weapon was detected during airport security screening. On Friday, prosecutors filed two misdemeanor charges against Blaylock who, if convicted, faces up to a year in jail and a fine of up to...

John Magaw, director of the Transportation Security Administration, announced that he would not authorize commercial airline pilots to carry firearms to protect the plane and the public from another terrorist attack. The excuse he gave the Senate is " We don’t want them shooting firearms with the potential of bringing down the plane."Magaw is either a liar or totally uninformed. The new standard operating procedure for handling a hijacking of a commercial airplane is for the Air Force to shoot the plane down if it leaves its flight plan. I would be willing to bet Magaw that the U.S. Air...

I have no question that Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta and Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge are good and decent men. However, they are clearly wrong in their opposition to arming the pilots of commercial airliners. When Congress is blindly engaged in a mad rush of airline safety legislation, you would think they would choose to pass a bill that might actually accomplish their stated intention of providing safety and security to the flying public. The concept of armed captains and pilots is not a new approach. It used to be commonplace. Therefore, it is an idea whose time has returned....

More than 20,000 airline pilots presented a petition to Congress last week, demanding the right to carry guns in the cockpit to prevent future terrorist hijackings. Pilots from all of the major unions, including the large AirLine Pilots Association, overwhelmingly favor having the choice to carry a gun when they fly. These pilots are the men and women who actually stand in harm's way in the event of future hijacking attempts, and surely we should trust their judgment over the judgment of armchair bureaucrats and pundits in Washington. Yet the Transportation department continues to ignore both the wisdom of pilots...

Airline Pilots Security Alliance, Armed Pilots Petition Needs YOUR Signature! Please go to the Airline Pilots Security Alliance website at www.secure-skies.org and sign the petition that is in red at the top of their home page. It is a petition to Congress and the President to support implementing the armed pilot program. We have 2 weeks to get the maximum number of signatures. These will be downloaded and taken to Congressman Mica (Chair for Aviation Sub Committee), who will be holding a hearing on or about May 2nd specifically on the issue of arming pilots.

Dear Front Sight Friends and Students: Please assist the Airline Pilots Security Alliance by making the telephone calls and sending the e-mails requested below. It will only take you a second to do so, and your efforts will make a big difference. Front Sight is doing its part as well. We continue to fund a Washington DC lobbyist that is working directly with numerous organizations and legislators to continue the positive push to arm our pilots. ACTION ALERT! Immediate Action Required! Pass This Alert Along To Everyone You Know! The April 5, 2002 edition of USA Today reports that President...

Republican criticism of Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, the only Democrat in President Bush's Cabinet, is rising because of his opposition to arming airline pilots. The new airline security act allows individual airlines, with the approval of the Transportation Department, to decide whether to arm pilots. Mineta is opposed to the provision. So is Jane Garvey, the Clinton administration holdover who is leaving as head of the Federal Aviation Administration. A footnote: Opposition by Mineta and Garvey is more than an aberration by two Democrats in a Republican administration. Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge also opposes armed pilots -- suggesting...