|
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Joe
Bell (860) 886-0139
July 11, 2002
SIMMONS VOTES TO ARM PILOTS
WASHINGTON,
D.C. - Today Congressman Rob Simmons, R-2nd District, voted for HR
4653, the “Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act.” The legislation
would allow volunteer airline pilots to be trained and deputized to
carry firearms in the cockpits of commercial aircraft.
Simmons
said, “This is another step forward in the war on terrorism. We know
the threat of terrorist attacks is real and that many terrorist
cells instruct their followers how to hijack and fly jet airliners.
By arming pilots in the cockpit we add another layer of security to
our transportation system.”
Provisions
of the legislation include:
- Pilots
must undergo Transportation Security Administration (TSA) training
before being armed.
- TSA
would be required to begin training within two months of the
bill's enactment, with certain exceptions.
- TSA
will establish the protocols for carrying the firearms (including
the type of firearm, type of ammunition, where the gun is stored,
pilot interaction with air marshals).
- Preference
is given to pilots who are former military or law enforcement
officers.
- TSA
can temporarily suspend the program and revoke a pilot's
participation if a passenger or crewmember is killed or injured by
accidental discharge of a pilot's gun.
- TSA
must consider whether participating pilots should undergo
additional background
checks.
- TSA
must develop and oversee a program for mandatory flight attendant
self-defense training in consultation with the parties responsible
for Federal Air Marshal training.
Simmons
said, “On September 11, eight unarmed pilots, hundreds of passengers
and thousands of innocent people on the ground were killed by
terrorists. America is fighting a dedicated enemy that continues to
prepare for further attacks. This legislation gives us another line
of security regarding air travel. Airline pilots are already
entrusted with the lives of thousands of travelers and millions of
dollars worth of equipment. They are responsible individuals. Given
proper training there is no reason why they should not be allowed to
carry firearms in the cockpit while we work to create fortified
cockpit doors. Today F-16s are prepared to shoot down any commercial
jet that is hijacked by terrorists. We must do everything we can to
ensure that such a decision does not have to be
made.”
### |