“On September 11th, terrorists took over commercial flights by using only box-cutters,” Ross said. “Think of all the lives that were taken by those simple tools.  No one could have known their evil intent, but now we have an opportunity to stop and deter future hijackings and acts of terror by arming our pilots who we already entrust with our lives.”

The Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act will begin a two-year test allowing guns in the cockpit on commercial flights.  Preference will be given to pilots with military and law enforcement backgrounds, and all pilots being deputized must undergo Transportation Security Administration approved training.  Flight attendants will also be required to take separate self-defense training.

“At least half of our nation’s commercial airline pilots have military or law enforcement backgrounds, and are highly skilled and trained in self-defense,” Ross said.  “The concept of arming pilots is one that requires tremendous responsibility in order to be safe and successful.  The training provided for in this bill is crucial, because it will ensure that every person involved in this program will have proper instruction and will be held to the highest standards of safety.  I applaud my colleagues in the House of Representatives for passing this common sense measure to give our pilots a fighting chance against the evils of terrorism.”