http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=31532
Cargo pilots closer
to carrying guns
Committee adds crew to law allowing passenger captains to bear arms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: March 15, 2003
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
Pilots of cargo planes are one step closer to joining their passenger-plane counterparts in legally carrying firearms in the cockpit with the passage of a provision in a Senate committee to add them to the law allowing guns as a means to defend aircraft.
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Thursday passed an amendment to allow cargo pilots to carry firearms as part of the Transportation Security Administration's Federal Flight Deck Officer Program.
In legislation passed last year, passenger-jet pilots gained the right to use guns to defend their planes against hijackers.
"I am extremely pleased that the Commerce Committee accepted this important provision," said Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., one of two original co-sponsors of the legislation, according to the CNSNews.com. "This is a strong step forward for our nation's homeland defense."
The difference in policy for the two types of pilots was created last year when the legislation was limited to only passenger-plane pilots.
The new program allows pilots to carry firearms in the cockpit after going through an extensive screening and training process.
"This legislation will close a loophole in the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program that was opened when cargo pilots were excluded last year," Bunning said, "a loophole that never should have been opened in the first place."
The amendment was offered by Bunning and Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.
"A cargo jet can just as easily be turned into a weapon of mass destruction as a passenger plane. By arming cargo pilots we would be providing one more layer of security to ensure that doesn't happen again," Bunning said.
Gun Owners of America hailed the amendment's passage, saying that stowaways in a cargo plane could more easily commandeer a cargo jet than a passenger plane.
Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., has introduced similar legislation to Bunning's in the House of Representatives.
CNSNews.com reports that the primary opponents of arming cargo pilots appear to be the cargo airlines. Pam Roberson, a spokesperson for FedEx, said her company opposes their pilots having any lethal means to defend themselves.
"We oppose lethal weapons, such as firearms, and also non-lethal weapons, such as stun guns, on our aircraft," Roberson told the newssite. "We believe the presence of weapons would pose a substantial threat to the safety and security of crew members, as well as the structural integrity of the aircraft."
Cargo pilots closer
to carrying guns
Committee adds crew to law allowing passenger captains to bear arms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: March 15, 2003
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
Pilots of cargo planes are one step closer to joining their passenger-plane counterparts in legally carrying firearms in the cockpit with the passage of a provision in a Senate committee to add them to the law allowing guns as a means to defend aircraft.
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Thursday passed an amendment to allow cargo pilots to carry firearms as part of the Transportation Security Administration's Federal Flight Deck Officer Program.
In legislation passed last year, passenger-jet pilots gained the right to use guns to defend their planes against hijackers.
"I am extremely pleased that the Commerce Committee accepted this important provision," said Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., one of two original co-sponsors of the legislation, according to the CNSNews.com. "This is a strong step forward for our nation's homeland defense."
The difference in policy for the two types of pilots was created last year when the legislation was limited to only passenger-plane pilots.
The new program allows pilots to carry firearms in the cockpit after going through an extensive screening and training process.
"This legislation will close a loophole in the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program that was opened when cargo pilots were excluded last year," Bunning said, "a loophole that never should have been opened in the first place."
The amendment was offered by Bunning and Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.
"A cargo jet can just as easily be turned into a weapon of mass destruction as a passenger plane. By arming cargo pilots we would be providing one more layer of security to ensure that doesn't happen again," Bunning said.
Gun Owners of America hailed the amendment's passage, saying that stowaways in a cargo plane could more easily commandeer a cargo jet than a passenger plane.
Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., has introduced similar legislation to Bunning's in the House of Representatives.
CNSNews.com reports that the primary opponents of arming cargo pilots appear to be the cargo airlines. Pam Roberson, a spokesperson for FedEx, said her company opposes their pilots having any lethal means to defend themselves.
"We oppose lethal weapons, such as firearms, and also non-lethal weapons, such as stun guns, on our aircraft," Roberson told the newssite. "We believe the presence of weapons would pose a substantial threat to the safety and security of crew members, as well as the structural integrity of the aircraft."
