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Bush--Wet blanket against arming pilots ??
Patriot.45
Member Posts: 11 ✭✭
Bush Throws 'Wet Blanket' on Arming Pilots -- Calls to the White House are needed immediately Gun Owners of America E-Mail/FAX Alert 8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151 Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408 http://www.gunowners.org (Thursday, September 27, 2001) -- The grassroots groundswell continues to grow for letting pilots carry arms onto planes in order to protect the lives of their passengers. But the President seemed to throw a wet blanket on the idea yesterday when answering questions from the press: "There may be better ways to do it than that," Mr. Bush said in response to questions at the White House about allowing pilots to carry guns in the cockpit. "But I'm open to any suggestion." [The New York Times, 9/27/01] Bush is "Open" to Arming Pilots Well, President Bush says he's open to suggestions on this subject. Although today, he outlined several safety proposals in Chicago, and arming pilots was not one of them. His comments on this subject are somewhat similar to those made by FAA Administrator Jane Garvey on Monday. As Fox News carried a live interview of Garvey speaking at a press conference at JFK airport, Garvey was asked if she would support arming pilots in the cockpit. To that, Garvey said, Well, first of all, that's an idea that probably two weeks ago I wouldn't have even considered. [Ed. note: That's true. She was actually opposing the idea two weeks ago.] But I think what we're seeing, and as I said a little bit earlier, we're challenging every assumption.... And that's an idea that we're absolutely willing to look at. And we would work very, very closely, by the way, with the Pilots Association on that. So, the President is "open" to the idea; and Administrator Garvey is "willing to look at" it as well. That means it is time for every one receiving this alert to contact the White House. Remind them that guns save lives. 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. Bush Wants Federal Air Marshals 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. Of course, gun haters think we'll be better off banning firearms everywhere we can. They want to turn every aspect of our society into a gun free zone. But gun free zones have failed wherever they've been tried. They've failed in Washington, D.C. They've failed on airplanes. They've failed in our schools. [NOTE: Laws creating a "Gun Free Zone" around schools have not stopped armed thugs from shooting them up. The only time that school massacres were stopped were the times there were adults present who had firearms.] ACTION: Please contact President Bush and FAA Administrator Jane Garvey. See the contact information and the pre-written text below. Now that Senator Bob Smith and Representative Ron Paul have introduced bills to arm pilots, it is imperative that the President not kill this legislation by making veiled veto threats. You can also use the GOA Legislative Action Center at http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm to send your messages. 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 towards preventing future skyjackings. Contact Information for President Bush: Phone: 202-456-1414 Fax: 202-456-1907 E-mail: president@whitehouse.gov Contact Information for FAA Administrator Jane Garvey: Since the FAA is seeking comments, please contact 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
Pre-written letters
Dear President Bush: Arming pilots is a good first step towards insuring passenger safety on airlines. Moreover, it is one that does not infringe on anyone's liberties -- liberties you have vowed will not be ceded to terrorists. Arming pilots is also cost-effective; whether or not placing armed Sky Marshals on every flight is a viable alternative in our society, allowing pilots to be armed is. Especially since at least one superb training facility, Front Sight of Las Vegas, has offered to train any and all pilots in firearms proficiency for free, with zero cost to airlines or taxpayers. (As an aside, this high-quality -- and free -- training would be a better choice than sending pilots to the FBI for expensive, lesser training.) Honestly, the kinds of attacks our nation has borne could be best prevented through deterrence. Guns save thousands of lives everyday on the ground. Why not on planes as well? Surely, allowing pilots to be armed represents a common-sense measure to ensure the safety of passengers! If we are to trust pilots with our lives while aboard, why should we not trust them to utilize the best tool available to prevent hijackings? And please, do not listen to gun-haters who spread unfounded fears about cabin depressurization and crossfires when trained pilots are carrying guns for self-defense. Notwithstanding the fact that such issues would apply to Sky Marshals as well, checking with aviation experts to get facts (rather than fears) will show that depressurization simply isn't a valid concern, especially when using frangible ammunition. Again, please do not stand in the way of Congress enacting sensible air safety legislation that would permit pilots to arm themselves for our common defense against terrorism. Sincerely,
Dear Administrator Garvey: Arming pilots is a good first step towards insuring passenger safety on airlines. Moreover, it is one that does not infringe on anyone's liberties -- liberties this administration has vowed will not be ceded to terrorists. Arming pilots is also cost-effective; whether or not placing armed Sky Marshals on every flight is a viable alternative in our society, allowing pilots to be armed is. Especially since at least one superb training facility, Front Sight of Las Vegas, has offered to train any and all pilots in firearms proficiency for free, with zero cost to airlines or taxpayers. (As an aside, this high-quality -- and free -- training would be a better choice than sending pilots to the FBI for expensive, lesser training.) Honestly, the kinds of attacks our nation has borne could be best prevented through deterrence. Guns save thousands of lives everyday on the ground. Why not on planes as well? Surely, allowing pilots to be armed represents a common-sense measure to ensure the safety of passengers! If we are to trust pilots with our lives while aboard, why should we not trust them to utilize the best tool available to prevent hijackings? And please, do not listen to gun-haters who spread unfounded fears about cabin depressurization and crossfires when trained pilots are carrying guns for self-defense. Notwithstanding the fact that such issues would apply to Sky Marshals as well, checking with aviation experts to get facts (rather than fears) will show that depressurization simply isn't a valid concern, especially when using frangible ammunition. Please do not use your office and position to stand in the way of sensible air safety regulations that would permit pilots to arm themselves for our common defense against terrorism. Sincerely, ************** If you are a pilot, or work in the aerospace industry, please let GOA know by dropping an e-mail to goamail@gunowners.org at your convenience. **************
"We think it's reasonable to provide mandatory instant criminal background checks for every sale at every gun show. No loopholes anywhere for anyone.""We think it's reasonable to expect full enforcement of federal firearms laws by the federal government."Wayne R. Lapierre NRA Executive director
Pre-written letters
Dear President Bush: Arming pilots is a good first step towards insuring passenger safety on airlines. Moreover, it is one that does not infringe on anyone's liberties -- liberties you have vowed will not be ceded to terrorists. Arming pilots is also cost-effective; whether or not placing armed Sky Marshals on every flight is a viable alternative in our society, allowing pilots to be armed is. Especially since at least one superb training facility, Front Sight of Las Vegas, has offered to train any and all pilots in firearms proficiency for free, with zero cost to airlines or taxpayers. (As an aside, this high-quality -- and free -- training would be a better choice than sending pilots to the FBI for expensive, lesser training.) Honestly, the kinds of attacks our nation has borne could be best prevented through deterrence. Guns save thousands of lives everyday on the ground. Why not on planes as well? Surely, allowing pilots to be armed represents a common-sense measure to ensure the safety of passengers! If we are to trust pilots with our lives while aboard, why should we not trust them to utilize the best tool available to prevent hijackings? And please, do not listen to gun-haters who spread unfounded fears about cabin depressurization and crossfires when trained pilots are carrying guns for self-defense. Notwithstanding the fact that such issues would apply to Sky Marshals as well, checking with aviation experts to get facts (rather than fears) will show that depressurization simply isn't a valid concern, especially when using frangible ammunition. Again, please do not stand in the way of Congress enacting sensible air safety legislation that would permit pilots to arm themselves for our common defense against terrorism. Sincerely,
Dear Administrator Garvey: Arming pilots is a good first step towards insuring passenger safety on airlines. Moreover, it is one that does not infringe on anyone's liberties -- liberties this administration has vowed will not be ceded to terrorists. Arming pilots is also cost-effective; whether or not placing armed Sky Marshals on every flight is a viable alternative in our society, allowing pilots to be armed is. Especially since at least one superb training facility, Front Sight of Las Vegas, has offered to train any and all pilots in firearms proficiency for free, with zero cost to airlines or taxpayers. (As an aside, this high-quality -- and free -- training would be a better choice than sending pilots to the FBI for expensive, lesser training.) Honestly, the kinds of attacks our nation has borne could be best prevented through deterrence. Guns save thousands of lives everyday on the ground. Why not on planes as well? Surely, allowing pilots to be armed represents a common-sense measure to ensure the safety of passengers! If we are to trust pilots with our lives while aboard, why should we not trust them to utilize the best tool available to prevent hijackings? And please, do not listen to gun-haters who spread unfounded fears about cabin depressurization and crossfires when trained pilots are carrying guns for self-defense. Notwithstanding the fact that such issues would apply to Sky Marshals as well, checking with aviation experts to get facts (rather than fears) will show that depressurization simply isn't a valid concern, especially when using frangible ammunition. Please do not use your office and position to stand in the way of sensible air safety regulations that would permit pilots to arm themselves for our common defense against terrorism. Sincerely, ************** If you are a pilot, or work in the aerospace industry, please let GOA know by dropping an e-mail to goamail@gunowners.org at your convenience. **************
"We think it's reasonable to provide mandatory instant criminal background checks for every sale at every gun show. No loopholes anywhere for anyone.""We think it's reasonable to expect full enforcement of federal firearms laws by the federal government."Wayne R. Lapierre NRA Executive director