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

        Washington, D.C. - The following is House Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young’s (R-Alaska) response to today’s announcement that the Transportation Security Administration will not allow commercial pilots to be armed with handguns to combat terrorist attacks:
 

        Aviation Chairman John Mica and I are here today to respond to Under Secretary John Magaw’s statement this morning to not allow pilots to be armed on commercial airlines.

        First of all, I’d like to say that Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta and Under Secretary John Magaw have done an excellent job in working to implement the numerous provisions included in the aviation security law we passed last year.

        They are to be commended for their many accomplishments under difficult circumstances and difficult deadlines.

        However, I strongly disagree with the 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, that we must allow trained and qualified pilots to serve as the last line of defense against such a potential disaster.

        Chairman Mica and I have introduced legislation that will create a program under which pilots can volunteer to carry a gun to defend the cockpit of an aircraft in flight.

        Under the program, these volunteer pilots will be deputized Federal law enforcement officers.

        They will be trained in the use of deadly force to defend the cockpit against immediate threats of violence or air piracy.

        To participate in this program, a pilot would have to undergo a background check and prove to the Under Secretary of Transportation that he or she is fit to handle this responsibility.

        All volunteer pilots will receive significant training and retraining to ensure the highest level of safety and effectiveness possible.

        Pilots are already entrusted with the lives of every passenger on the plane.

        Many of them have a law enforcement or military background and have some experience with firearms.

        We have worked closely with the Air Line Pilots Association to craft this very responsible bill.

        All of the major pilots organizations stand united with us on this issue.

        The decision to arm pilots was not taken lightly.

        Under circumstances, however, it is a necessary step to ensure the safety and security of the flying public.  Nothing else can provide the deterrence or effectiveness of a gun wielded by a highly trained individual.

(* Note:  “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.)