the Airline Safety Act of 2001
Specifically, the bill would allow airlines to establish policies for arming pilots or sky marshals, so they could protect their own lives and the lives of their passengers as well as possibly thousands on the ground below.
Senator Bob Smith (R-NH) has introduced S. 1463 to accompany the Paul legislation. Similar to the House bill, the language of S. 1463 is sufficiently flexible so that it would overturn the current FAA regulation encouraging airlines to veto firearms for pilots. In addition, it would preempt a rumored FAA regulation which would absolutely outlaw firearms in the hands of
pilots.
Sen. Smith is prepared to force a vote on his language as soon as the number and range of Senate cosponsors suggest that the language would prevail in a Senate vote. Therefore, it is imperative that we get a massive number of cosponsors on this bill.
For list of cosponsors click here. There is currently 1 cosponsor. NOTE: Bob Smith and few other senators successfully attached an amendment to S. 1447, the Aviation Security Act to arm pilots. S. 1447 passed the Senate via a unanimous consent vote on October 11, 2001. S. 1447 with the Smith amendment now goes to the House.
For list of cosponsors click here. There are currently 13 cosponsors.
arming pilots was not one of them. His comments on this subject are somewhat similar to those made by FAA Administrator Jane Garvey
The administration is supporting the concept of armed Federal Air
Marshals -- which is fine as a first step. But with 35,000 daily
flights, it would be a monumental (and costly) task to put a marshal
on every plane. Allowing pilots to carry would be a much cheaper
solution.
Action Needed:
Contact President Bush and FAA Administrator Jane Garvey. It is imperative that the President not kill this legislation by making veiled veto threats. Urge President Bush and Administrator Garvey to support these important bills. Tell them that Gun Free Zones -- such as what airplanes are -- do not work, and that they will not stop bad guys from carrying weapons. Please remind them that guns save lives, and that arming pilots is a good first step. Remind them that a pilot who wants to crash a plane doesn't need a gun to do it -- so it's foolish to prevent them from having the tools they need to protect the lives of their passengers.
Phone: 202-456-1414
Fax: 202-456-1907
E-mail: president@whitehouse.gov
Administrator Garvey at http://www.faa.gov/apa/tellfaa/tellfaa.htm
via the agency's easy-to-use feedback page.
You can also contact Administrator Jane Garvey at:
Phone: 866-289-9673
Fax: 202-267-5091
E-mail: 9-AWA-TELLFAA@faa.gov
