July 10, 2002 – For Immediate Release Kingston co-sponsors Arming Airline Pilots bill and successfully helps assure training at FLETC WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Jack Kingston (R/GA) co-sponsored the Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act, H.R. 4635, which allows airline pilots to be armed with handguns in cockpits. The measure passed in the House this afternoon [Wednesday] 312-113. The bill is now headed to the Senate where its future remains doubtful. The bill states that before being deputized with firearms, pilots will undergo Transportation Security Administration (TSA) training. The TSA will be responsible for establishing protocols for carrying guns, including where they will be stored and what type will be used. Also included in the bill is a provision for flight attendant self-defense training. "Our airline pilots are already entrusted with the lives of every passenger on their aircraft, so it stands to reason that they can be entrusted to serve as responsible Federal Flight Deck Officers," Congressman Kingston said on the House floor today during debate on the bill. "All we have to do is insure they receive the proper training, and with that in mind, I would like to request that we clarify the training aspect of the bill." Congressman Kingston wanted to assure FLETC’s (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, which has a facility near Brunswick, Ga.) role in the training and entered into a "colloquy" or Floor dialogue with U.S. Rep. John Mica (R-FL), the Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee that produced the bill. Kingston was successful. Here is a transcript from The Congressional Record of what was said: Mr. Kingston: As you know Mr. Chairman, the bill states, "the Under Secretary shall base requirements for training on the standards applicable to Federal Air Marshals." Well, the Federal Air Marshals conduct their training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). However, the bill simply states that the pilot’s training should be conducted at "a facility approved by the Under Secretary." Since FLETC is already the approved training facility for our Federal Air Marshals, I’m sure you will agree that it is appropriate to designate FLETC as an* approved training facility for the Federal Flight Deck Officer program. I request that the record reflect our intent to designate the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) as an* approved training facility for both the Federal Air Marshal program and the Federal Flight Deck Officer program. Mr. Mica: I agree with the gentlemen from Georgia on this important issue of training standardization for our Federal Flight Deck Officers and our Federal Air Marshals and that the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) should be designated as an* approved training facility for both the Federal Air Marshal program and the Federal Flight Deck Officer program. -END- * NOTE ABOUT THE WORD "an": The word "the" cannot be used, because it would not allow training elsewhere if, for example, FLETC could not do the training for whatever reason (from natural disaster to full capacity). # # # |