Immediately following a hearing before the House Subcommittee on Aviation, of which Rehberg is a member, Rehberg announced his commitment to ensure that Congress took every available step to secure Americans utilizing air transportation. 

“Yesterday I co-sponsored legislation to authorize qualified, deputized pilots to carry firearms in the cockpit to protect passengers from terrorist aggressors,” said Rehberg.  

“Under our legislation, pilots who volunteer and complete an extensive training program and federal background check will be deputized as federal officers and authorized to carry firearms while piloting passenger aircrafts.  This is a common sense measure to further ensure the safety and stability of America’s air transportation system,” continued Rehberg.  

Despite widespread public support, arming commercial pilots with firearms remains controversial among industry experts and Federal authorities. Critics contend that allowing pilots to carry firearms would introduce new and potentially greater risks to safety and security.  However, proponents point to the President’s standing order regarding hi-jacked planes and say that arming pilots is a reasonable and necessary final precaution.

“The President has issued a standing order to NORAD to shoot down any aircraft that has been taken over by terrorists.  As a last line of defense, arming qualified, deputized pilots remains the most effective deterrent and most effective means to retain control of an aircraft against air piracy,” concluded Rehberg.