Arming Pilots Bill To Be Introduced

U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
U.S. Rep. Don Young, Chairman

Contact: Steve Hansen (Communications Director) (202) 225-7749
Email: Steve.Hansen@mail.house.gov
Justin Harclerode (Communications Assistant) (202) 226-8767
Email: Justin.Harclerod@mail.house.gov

To: National Desk/Transportation Reporter
April 30, 2002

Transportation Committee Leadership To Introduce Bill Allowing Airline Pilots To Carry Firearms In The Cockpit

Washington, DC – The House authors of the aviation security law today announced their plans to introduce legislation that will allow, on a voluntary basis, commercial airline pilots to carry firearms in the cockpit in order to safeguard flights from potential hijackers.

The legislation will be introduced by U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and U.S. Rep. John Mica (R-FL), Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee. At a press conference today, Young and Mica were joined by Captain Stephen Luckey, National Security Committee Chairman for the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) to discuss the legislation.

This legislation will strengthen provisions concerning the arming of pilots included in the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, signed into law in November last year.

Click here for the legislation.

“A Necessary Step To Ensure The Safety And Security Of The Flying Public”

“The events of September 11th have dramatically changed how we must defend our planes and passengers,” said Young. “We now face a possible situation where the Department of Defense may be forced to make the difficult decision of having our own Air Force shoot down a plane full of innocent passengers due to a terrorist takeover.

“I strongly believe that under these new circumstances, we must allow trained and qualified pilots to serve as the last line of defense against such a potential disaster.

“The decision to arm pilots was not taken lightly,” said Young. “Under the circumstances, however, it is a necessary step to ensure the safety and security of the flying public.”

“Pilots Are Our Last Line Of Defense And Should Have At Least A Fighting Chance”

“We have armed military personnel in our airports. We have armed law enforcement officers at our departure gates. We have armed air marshals aboard our planes,” said Mica.

“Our pilots have requested the ability to defend themselves – they are our last line of defense and should have at least a fighting chance. Congress must comply with their request.

“This bill will be completely voluntary. Any pilot that can pass the background check and prove his fitness for duty will be allowed to participate in the program,” added Mica.

Summary Of Young-Mica Bill To Establish A Program To Arm Pilots

- Requires the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to establish a program not later than 90 days after the date of enactment to deputize qualified volunteer pilots as Federal law enforcement officers to defend the cockpits of commercial aircraft in flight against acts of criminal violence or air piracy.

- Such pilots will be known as “Federal Flight Deck Officers.”

- The program will be administered in conjunction with the Federal Air Marshals program.

- A qualified pilot is a pilot that:

is employed by an air carrier;
has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Under Secretary fitness to be a Federal Flight Deck Officer; and
has been the subject of an employment investigation (including a criminal history record check).

- The Federal government will provide training, supervision and equipment at no expense to the pilot or air carrier

- The Under Secretary may only deputize volunteers.

- Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment, the Under Secretary shall deputize 500 qualified pilots who are former military or law enforcement personnel.

- Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment, the Under Secretary shall deputize any qualified pilot.

- Pilots participating in this program will not be eligible to receive compensation for services.

- Directs the Under Secretary to authorize Federal Flight Deck Officers to carry a firearm.

- Authorizes the use of force (including deadly force) against an individual in defense of an aircraft.

- Protects volunteer pilots and their employers against liability from damages.

- Directs the Under Secretary to establish regulations, in consultation with the Firearms Training Unit of the FBI, to carry out this section not later than 90 days after the date of enactment.

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