Bill To Arm Pilots Markup

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
May 21, 2002

*** NOTICE ***
Postponement Of Aviation Subcommittee Markup Of H.R. 4635
“The Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act”

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Aviation markup on legislation that will allow commercial airline pilots to carry firearms in the cockpit in order to safeguard flights from potential hijackers has been postponed until after the Memorial Day recess.

# # #

Legislation To Allow Commercial Airline Pilots To Carry Firearms To Combat Terrorists Attacks To Be Marked Up By House Aviation Subcommittee On Thursday

Washington, D.C. - Legislation by the U.S. House authors of the aviation security law that will allow, on a voluntary basis, commercial airline pilots to carry firearms in the cockpit in order to safeguard flights from potential hijackers is scheduled to be marked up by a Congressional Subcommittee on Thursday.

“The Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act” (H.R. 4635) is scheduled to be marked up by the U.S. House Aviation Subcommittee, chaired by U.S. Rep. John Mica (R-FL), at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 23rd, in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building. Live audio and video broadcasts of the markup will be available at the Committee’s website:

www.house.gov/transportation

The legislation was introduced by U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Aviation Chairman Mica, the authors of the House aviation security legislation which was approved last October.

Pilots Overwhelmingly Support Legislation

At the press conference announcing the introduction of the legislation, Young and Mica were joined by Captain Stephen Luckey, the National Security Committee Chairman for the Air Line Pilots Association, who outlined his organization’s strong support for the bill. In addition, the Airline Pilot’s Security Alliance has presented a petition to the Transportation Committee with more than 40,000 signatures in support of the legislation.

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

“Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta and Transportation Security Administration Director John Magaw have done an excellent job in working to implement the numerous provisions included in the aviation security law we passed last year,” Young said. “They are to be commended for their many accomplishments under extremely difficult circumstances and difficult deadlines.

“However, I strongly disagree with their announcement today in opposition to allowing trained and qualified pilots to be armed to protect their planes from terrorist attacks.

“The events of September 11th have dramatically changed how we must defend our planes and passengers. 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,” Young said.

Young said he intended to markup the legislation in the full Transportation Committee no later than mid-June.

“Given The Gaps In Security, It’s Essential To Have This Last Line Of Defense”

“Both Chairman Young and I adamantly support allowing pilots to defend themselves,” said Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Mica. “Given the gaps in our passenger screening capabilities, the inability to have air marshals on all of our planes, and the difficult transition we face putting into place comprehensive aviation security, we think it is absolutely essential to have this last line of defense. Tens of thousands of pilots and their families have requested this ability, and we would be remiss if we did not allow them this opportunity.”

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.

# # #