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'I Will Not Authorize Firearms'
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
Feds Nix Pistol-Packing Pilots
NewsMax.com Wires
Wednesday, May 22, 2002
WASHINGTON - Pilots of U.S. commercial airlines will not be allowed to carry firearms on board their aircraft to deter or defend against hijackers, a senior Transportation Department official said Tuesday.
Under Secretary of Transportation for Security John Magaw, testifying before a Senate committee, said the agency's decision, taken in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and a clamor by pilots to be armed, would formally be announced at a later date.
"Utilizing the experience of my 40 years in law enforcement and consulting with all the interested parties, and having our staff with a lot of experience look at this issue, and obviously consulting all along the way with Secretary Mineta, I will not authorize firearms in the cockpit," Magaw said.
"... The cockpit in the aircraft is for the pilots to maintain positive control of that aircraft. And the positive control to them, and what is to me, is get it on the ground as quickly as you can, regardless of what's happening back there."
Pilots, concerned about hijackings, have requested they be allowed to carry firearms in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that cost more than 2,800 lives.
The Senate and the House are considering legislation on the arming of flight deck crews.
Stewardess With a Stun Gun
Airline flight attendants, meanwhile, have requested government permission to carry non-lethal weapons such as stun guns and batons.
In the Sept. 11 attacks, four airliners were commandeered. Two were crashed into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon. The fourth plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field after passengers apparently tried to wrest control of the aircraft from hijackers.
Magaw said federal air marshals would carry the only firearms on airliners.
"These marshals are trained not only in the use of a weapon, but all the kind of things that would build up to that," he told the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
"They have a special firearms training, which is much more difficult, much more strenuous, than any other firearms, save maybe our Delta Force and a few of those special units in the military, because obviously if that firearm is discharged, obviously we don't want them under the normal circumstances to hurt or kill an innocent person. But we certainly also don't want them shooting that firearm with the possibility of bringing that airliner down." Copyright 2002 by United Press International http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/5/21/133128.shtml
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
NewsMax.com Wires
Wednesday, May 22, 2002
WASHINGTON - Pilots of U.S. commercial airlines will not be allowed to carry firearms on board their aircraft to deter or defend against hijackers, a senior Transportation Department official said Tuesday.
Under Secretary of Transportation for Security John Magaw, testifying before a Senate committee, said the agency's decision, taken in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and a clamor by pilots to be armed, would formally be announced at a later date.
"Utilizing the experience of my 40 years in law enforcement and consulting with all the interested parties, and having our staff with a lot of experience look at this issue, and obviously consulting all along the way with Secretary Mineta, I will not authorize firearms in the cockpit," Magaw said.
"... The cockpit in the aircraft is for the pilots to maintain positive control of that aircraft. And the positive control to them, and what is to me, is get it on the ground as quickly as you can, regardless of what's happening back there."
Pilots, concerned about hijackings, have requested they be allowed to carry firearms in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that cost more than 2,800 lives.
The Senate and the House are considering legislation on the arming of flight deck crews.
Stewardess With a Stun Gun
Airline flight attendants, meanwhile, have requested government permission to carry non-lethal weapons such as stun guns and batons.
In the Sept. 11 attacks, four airliners were commandeered. Two were crashed into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon. The fourth plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field after passengers apparently tried to wrest control of the aircraft from hijackers.
Magaw said federal air marshals would carry the only firearms on airliners.
"These marshals are trained not only in the use of a weapon, but all the kind of things that would build up to that," he told the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
"They have a special firearms training, which is much more difficult, much more strenuous, than any other firearms, save maybe our Delta Force and a few of those special units in the military, because obviously if that firearm is discharged, obviously we don't want them under the normal circumstances to hurt or kill an innocent person. But we certainly also don't want them shooting that firearm with the possibility of bringing that airliner down." Copyright 2002 by United Press International http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/5/21/133128.shtml
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
Comments
Happiness is a warm gun
~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
The Government's assessment of my personal risk is completely inaccurate! I will no longer allow them to subject me to what I believe to be "unacceptable risk" because such a$$h***s as this who "know it all" are dictating to me what I need! Let's see, I have busses, trains, cars, feet, roller skates......all better than an airplane ride! Anyone can have my airline seat!!!
If You Can't Buy a Pair, Get a Spare!
I sent an email to all my reps and my senator regarding this...not sure if it will do any good but i guess every little bit helps.
Alex
Happiness is a warm gun