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Contact: Patrick
Creamer (202) 225-4301
Rep. Boozman Votes to Arm
Airline Pilots
Bill provides pilots with means to protect cockpit
against would-be hijackers
July 10, 2002
WASHINGTON, DC - Representative
John Boozman (R-AR) voted today for legislation that would
allow qualified, trained pilots to have guns in the cockpit to
defend the plane from an attempted highjacking. The "Arming
Pilots Against Terrorism Act, " passed the House of
Representatives by a vote of 310-113.
"We have come a long way since
9/11 to provide air travel safe from terrorist threats. This
bill - supplemented with the heightened security, reinforced
cockpit doors, and the federal air-marshal program - will help
to ease the mind of American travelers," Boozman
said.
"I've spoken with a number of
pilots who support the concept of guns in the cockpit and
since most pilots already have a military or law enforcement
background, the additional training required to participate
will make them overly-qualified to carry a firearm," stated
Boozman.
The bill would establish a
program to deputize pilots who volunteer to complete the
necessary training to have guns in the cockpit. The program
will start two months after the enactment of the legislation
and will be administered by the Transportation Safety
Administration (TSA), which will also provide voluntary
self-defense training for flight attendants.
The TSA will be required to
provide guidelines about what types of guns and ammunitions
can be used, where the guns will be stored, and how the pilots
will interact with the Air Marshal program. The legislation
requires a reevaluation of the program after three years,
allowing Congress to revisit the issue at that
time.
Boozman added, "The terrorist
threat is real and airplane passengers are still vulnerable to
attacks, even with the progress we have made to strengthen
aviation security. This bipartisan, sensible bill will
establish one last line of defense against would-be
hijackers." |
