Cop Group Joins Pilots' Union In Call To Arm Airline Pilots

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Cop Group Joins Pilots' Union In Call To Arm Airline Pilots; Law Enforcement Alliance Of America Calls On Congress To Enact Proposal To: National Desk Contact: Kevin H. Watson of the Law Enforcement Alliance of America, 703-847-2677 WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The executive director of the Law Enforcement Alliance of America (LEAA) today announced his organization's support for a measure to arm America's commercial airline pilots. "Pilots are already responsible for the lives of everyone onboard their planes, there's no reason they should be denied any means of ensuring that safety," said LEAA Executive Director James J. Fotis. Fotis added, "Pilots are some of the most highly trained and skilled professionals in the world, they are ideally suited for the kind of training necessary to use a firearm in defense of themselves and their passengers." LEAA's push for allowing specially trained and qualified airline pilots to be armed follows on the heels of a similar call by the Airline Pilots' Association. In meetings with Congress and Executive Branch officials, both LEAA and the ALPA have urged political leaders to take this and other necessary steps to advance the safety of our air travel. LEAA spokesperson Kevin H. Watson further noted the unique qualifications of airline pilots for such a responsibility. "Airline pilots already have demonstrated a tremendous aptitude for training, particularly in high stress situations. If a pilot can learn how to fly a 747 and deal with all manner of emergencies, they can certainly be trained how to safely handle a firearm in a dire emergency." Watson noted that FAA regulations currently contain provisions for the carrying of a firearm by pilots, at the discretion of their employer. House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt opposed the idea claiming that it would not be a good idea to ask pilots to serve as security officers in addition to flying the plane. In fact, FAA regulations specifically state that each airline must "Designate the pilot in command as the inflight Security Coordinator for each flight..." FAA FAR Section 108.10 Providing for qualified, trained armed pilots is one component of the security changes necessary for improving air travel safety. To schedule and interview with Fotis or Watson, please call LEAA at 703-847-2677 --- The Law Enforcement Alliance of America is the nation's largest coalition of law enforcement professionals, crime victims and concerns citizens.