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Pistol-packing pilots risks more violence
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
VPC spokesperson describes why it would be "terribly dangerous" to arm airline pilots: accidental discharges, kleptomaniacal terrorists, suicidal stewardesses etc. (the usual good, sound reasoning...)
Pistol-packing pilots risks more violence It is reminiscent of cries to put handguns into the hands of schoolteachers in response to the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. Handgun-toting teachers, however, lost out to common sense and public safety. By KRISTEN RANDTo those working to reduce gun violence, the call to arm airline pilots has a distressingly familiar ring. It is reminiscent of cries to put handguns into the hands of schoolteachers in response to the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. Handgun-toting teachers, however, lost out to common sense and public safety. The odds that an armed teacher would stop a shooter pale in comparison to the likelihood that a gun in the classroom would instead be utilized in an unintentional shooting, suicide, or homicide of an innocent person. Before our nation starts relying on pilots to also act as airborne policemen, the probable unintended consequences of armed aviators should likewise carefully be considered. If the facts are soberly scrutinized, the idea of arming pilots is likely to meet the same fate as the proposal to arm teachers.Introducing guns to the close quarters of an airliner may be even more hazardous than putting guns in classrooms. The first and foremost consideration should be the fact that the weapon, by definition, would potentially be available to every passenger. That includes passengers with a case of air rage or those suffering from suicidal tendencies, as well as terrorists. Moreover, those contemplating terrorism will know that a gun is available and will act accordingly - and the terrorists will usually have the element of surprise on their side.When Americans think about the ramifications of readily available handguns, television portrayals - where criminals meekly surrender at the mere sight of a handgun - are too often our guide. But such images do not represent reality. In fact, highly trained police officers, whose only job is law enforcement, all too often have their service weapons turned against them by suspects. One study found that 21 percent of officers killed with a handgun were shot with their own service weapon. Experience also teaches that when police fire their weapons, they sometimes make grave mistakes in deciding when deadly force is justified. It is naive to believe that pilots will perform any better, especially when they will have the additional responsibility of flying the plane while fending off an attack.Recognizing the simple physics of loaded handguns at 30,000 feet, another serious threat is unintentional discharge. Many handguns, including popular models used by police departments, can fire when dropped or bumped. One brand of handgun carried by police departments nationwide is prone to fire with very light pressure on the trigger. The dangers of "drop fires," or guns with hair triggers going off unintentionally in an airplane cabin's close quarters are crystal clear. One errant bullet could damage key flight controls, kill or injure a fellow pilot or other flight crew member, or potentially pierce the hull of the jetliner.There are many necessary and constructive steps that can be taken to protect pilots and passengers short of arming pilots, such as dramatically improved screening on the ground and reinforced cockpit doors in the air. If firearms are absolutely necessary, they should be carried by trained air marshals whose only responsibility is protecting the safety of crew members and passengers.Whether it occurs in a classroom or a cockpit, pinning our hopes on the outcome of a shoot-out is risky at best. Measures aimed at preventing attacks must be the focus lest we risk replicating in the air the gun violence America already experiences on the ground.Kristen Rand is legislative director of the Violence Policy Center, a nonpartisan think-tank that studies and comments on gun-related issues. Readers my write her at VPC, 1140 19th Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036. http://www.phillyburbs.com/couriertimes/editorial/1130rand.htm
Pistol-packing pilots risks more violence It is reminiscent of cries to put handguns into the hands of schoolteachers in response to the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. Handgun-toting teachers, however, lost out to common sense and public safety. By KRISTEN RANDTo those working to reduce gun violence, the call to arm airline pilots has a distressingly familiar ring. It is reminiscent of cries to put handguns into the hands of schoolteachers in response to the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. Handgun-toting teachers, however, lost out to common sense and public safety. The odds that an armed teacher would stop a shooter pale in comparison to the likelihood that a gun in the classroom would instead be utilized in an unintentional shooting, suicide, or homicide of an innocent person. Before our nation starts relying on pilots to also act as airborne policemen, the probable unintended consequences of armed aviators should likewise carefully be considered. If the facts are soberly scrutinized, the idea of arming pilots is likely to meet the same fate as the proposal to arm teachers.Introducing guns to the close quarters of an airliner may be even more hazardous than putting guns in classrooms. The first and foremost consideration should be the fact that the weapon, by definition, would potentially be available to every passenger. That includes passengers with a case of air rage or those suffering from suicidal tendencies, as well as terrorists. Moreover, those contemplating terrorism will know that a gun is available and will act accordingly - and the terrorists will usually have the element of surprise on their side.When Americans think about the ramifications of readily available handguns, television portrayals - where criminals meekly surrender at the mere sight of a handgun - are too often our guide. But such images do not represent reality. In fact, highly trained police officers, whose only job is law enforcement, all too often have their service weapons turned against them by suspects. One study found that 21 percent of officers killed with a handgun were shot with their own service weapon. Experience also teaches that when police fire their weapons, they sometimes make grave mistakes in deciding when deadly force is justified. It is naive to believe that pilots will perform any better, especially when they will have the additional responsibility of flying the plane while fending off an attack.Recognizing the simple physics of loaded handguns at 30,000 feet, another serious threat is unintentional discharge. Many handguns, including popular models used by police departments, can fire when dropped or bumped. One brand of handgun carried by police departments nationwide is prone to fire with very light pressure on the trigger. The dangers of "drop fires," or guns with hair triggers going off unintentionally in an airplane cabin's close quarters are crystal clear. One errant bullet could damage key flight controls, kill or injure a fellow pilot or other flight crew member, or potentially pierce the hull of the jetliner.There are many necessary and constructive steps that can be taken to protect pilots and passengers short of arming pilots, such as dramatically improved screening on the ground and reinforced cockpit doors in the air. If firearms are absolutely necessary, they should be carried by trained air marshals whose only responsibility is protecting the safety of crew members and passengers.Whether it occurs in a classroom or a cockpit, pinning our hopes on the outcome of a shoot-out is risky at best. Measures aimed at preventing attacks must be the focus lest we risk replicating in the air the gun violence America already experiences on the ground.Kristen Rand is legislative director of the Violence Policy Center, a nonpartisan think-tank that studies and comments on gun-related issues. Readers my write her at VPC, 1140 19th Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036. http://www.phillyburbs.com/couriertimes/editorial/1130rand.htm
Comments
Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.[This message has been edited by Lowrider (edited 12-01-2001).]
I can't come to work today. The voices said, STAY HOME AND CLEAN THE GUNS!