In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Airline Pilot's right-to-carry in jeopardy!

vredekervredeker Member Posts: 61 ✭✭
Transportation Security (HA!) Administration trying to kill it with restrictions:
Administration Officials Erecting Hurdles to Carrying Firearms
-- Armed pilots program could be grounded before it ever takes off

Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408
http://www.gunowners.org

Thursday, February 13, 2003


"A TSA attorney-advisor, Mr. Stephen L. Cohen, has made it clear
that the TSA intends to make the [armed pilots] program so
difficult, intimidating and burdensome that no pilot will
volunteer." -- February 12, 2003


(Springfield, VA) -- The above quote is the assessment from pilots
who have been dealing with the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) over the past couple of months.

This should come as no surprise. When Congress passed legislation
authorizing the administration to arm pilots in November 2001,
Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta refused.

Thus, Congress had to pass additional legislation last year
MANDATING that the Transportation Department move forward on arming
pilots.

But now the TSA, which is an agency of the Transportation
Department, is still doing all it can to kill the program, even
while it goes through the motions of implementing the law.

While the official TSA regulations have yet to be issued, pilots in
the Airline Pilot's Security Alliance report that the TSA is leaning
towards the following draconian impositions:

1. Intense psychological testing. If pilots were not
psychologically fit already, then why are they flying planes?
Pilots already undergo psychological screening. They don't need
additional testing. These additional interrogations are simply an
underhanded way to discourage pilots from applying to carry
firearms.

And you can be sure that these psych tests will only be a first
step. After all, if they are going to be imposed upon pilots, who
are some of the brightest and well-adjusted people in the country,
imagine the kind of tests that the rest of us might eventually have
to undergo.

2. Veto power given to commercial airlines. In direct violation of
the law, the TSA will ask commercial airlines to first give
permission before any of their pilots can carry concealed.
Considering the fact that most commercial airlines have come out
publicly AGAINST arming pilots, this ensures this program will never
get off the ground -- in defiance of the will of Congress and the
American people who overwhelmingly support this program.

3. Refusal to let pilots carry their guns on their persons. TSA
officials reportedly want pilots to keep their guns unloaded and in
a lock box, rather than on their persons. Of course, this puts a
huge "steal me" sign on every pilot's luggage. Criminals will know
that whenever they see a pilot in uniform, he will be defenseless
against any attempts to attack him or steal his luggage. The
solution that makes the most sense -- and the solution which the
pilots want -- is to carry the firearms on their persons.


HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO:

* Please distribute this alert to as many people as you can. It is
reported that when the TSA issues its official regulations later
this month, there will be no public comment period. That is why we
need to make our voices heard now.

* Contact the White House and ask the President to rein in the TSA.
That agency should not be subverting the will of Congress and the
American people by implementing draconian regulations.

You can use the pre-written letter below to help direct your
comments to President Bush; go to the GOA Legislative Action Center
at http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm to send it via e-mail. You
can also call him at 202-456-1414 or fax him at 202-456-2461.

* Contact your Representative and both of your Senators. Tell them
that the Transportation Security Administration is ignoring the will
of Congress and of the American people by trying to unduly limit the
number of pilots that will carry firearms in the cockpit.

To identify your Representative and Senators, see the Legislative
Action Center at http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm on the GOA
website. You can use the second pre-written letter below to help
direct your comments to them.


Pre-written message to the President

Dear President Bush:

Last year, you signed legislation that was overwhelmingly passed by
Congress to mandate that the Transportation Security Administration
set up a program to put armed pilots in the air.

This is an idea which not only makes perfect sense, it has garnered
enormous support among the American people. But now the TSA, which
is charged with implementing the program, is doing everything it can
to undermine the process.

The pilots who are close to this process are outraged. The
Washington Post quoted Captain Tracy Price, who is the Chairman of
the Airline Pilot's Security Alliance, as saying, "[The TSA] is
requiring us to jump through so many hoops so that we can't meet the
requirements."

I think this is reprehensible, and I hope that you will rein in the
TSA and order those officials to implement a program that gets the
support of the nation's pilots. Thank you very much.

Sincerely,


Pre-written message to Congress

Dear

As you know, Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation last year to
mandate that the Transportation Security Administration set up a
program to put armed pilots in the air.

This is an idea which not only makes perfect sense, it has garnered
enormous support among the American people. But now the TSA, which
is charged with implementing the program, is doing everything it can
to undermine the process.

The pilots who are close to this process are outraged. The
Washington Post quoted Captain Tracy Price, who is the Chairman of
the Airline Pilot's Security Alliance, as saying, "[The TSA] is
requiring us to jump through so many hoops so that we can't meet the
requirements."

I think this is reprehensible, and I hope that you will use your
position as a legislator in the U.S. Congress to rein in the TSA, so
it will implement a program that gets the support of the nation's
pilots. Thank you very much.

Sincerely,


****************************

GOA has started an area on its website --
http://www.gunowners.org/adpage.htm -- for companies to take out
advertisements. These ads are tax deductible for the business as a
normal advertising expense and they give them exposure to thousands
of visitors each day.

We encourage you to visit that section and support those businesses
that are supporting GOA. Also, if you have a business of your own, or
know of a business or foundation that might be interested in
supporting GOA with their advertising dollars, you can use the e-mail
address goamarketing@earthlink.net to get more information. You could
also call Marty Ohlson at 920-625-3975.
:{!]

The second childhood is a lot more fun than the first!!

Comments

  • gunphreakgunphreak Member Posts: 1,791 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    And we all wonder about why aircrafts are such good targets for overtaking....

    I will not live in fear. Instead I will live in goodness and faith and not fear death. With our country going to hell in a handbasket, I can all but guarantee it will happen again one day. They will be the ones to make it easy.

    Death to Tyrants!!!

    Those who would offer any interpretation that would relegate Amendment II to "relic" status of a bygone era are blatantly stating that the remainder of the Bill of Rights isn't worth a damn, either.

    Luke 22:36.
  • Delta514Delta514 Member Posts: 440 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Governments Opinion[}:)]: No one is qualified to carry a gun unless(they work directly for the Government)Big Brother WILL Protect you. They (the Government) doesn't seem to grasp the concept to which we expound upon. The Goverment; Obviously can't read, (article II is very clear), do not comprehind[xx(], or merely doesn't give a damn about the Constitution or the Public in General[?]
    I fear; the only way we can legally carry or enjoy the rights to ownership of a Firearm is: To work for the Government! I for one; refuse to compromise my integrity to that extent. To this end, "We" that are resolute, will eventually become "OutLaws", (CHANCES ARE: If we read the fine print? We already are). [V]

    Ronnie G. Perkins
  • Delta514Delta514 Member Posts: 440 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    [:o)]Anyone arrogant enough to believe an AirCraft Pilot, captable of flying a Billion Dollar Airplane, with hundreds of people aboard, can not possibily be qualified to carry a handgun? (Has undoubtedly; Lost their minds). I am sure that we all realize; The ATF, find it very difficult to break down some guns simply too tag them[:o)]. In other words: The ATF's greatest qualification is: They work for the Reich! "The Reich can do no wrong". Volks Shutzen Verboten, Seig Heil!

    Ronnie G. Perkins
  • gunphreakgunphreak Member Posts: 1,791 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I hear that....

    Death to Tyrants!!!

    Those who would offer any interpretation that would relegate Amendment II to "relic" status of a bygone era are blatantly stating that the remainder of the Bill of Rights isn't worth a damn, either.

    Luke 22:36.
  • Delta514Delta514 Member Posts: 440 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    [}:)]Does anyone agree: The ATF need considerate Psychological testing? But who knows? Maybe the Young Aryans of the ATF have already passed the test requirements? With their Gestapo Tactics, and convinced they are above the Common Man, they are determined to save us from ourselves. If many die from lack of protection; who then will these Young Aryans blame? I must assume they will feel little or no remorse (They are Above the Law). [}:)]

    Ronnie G. Perkins
  • gunphreakgunphreak Member Posts: 1,791 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My grandfather once said, "The only people who are in favor of gun kontrol are those who won't be affected by it.". This can best be explained by how Sarah Brady, of all people, can buy a firearm for her boy, even though she is in general opposition of them, because it is OK for her to buy one, but not for any of the rest of us. It can also be explained by Rosie O'donnell, why it is OK for her to employ ARMED bodyguards to protect her and her pathetic family from aggressors, but then preaches gun kontrol to all the rest of us. For the icing on the cake, Dianne Feinstein is doing her part to disarm the country. By not only voting for gun kontrol edicts every time it makes it to a vote, but by introducing other diabolic legislation similar or worse at every given chance. This woman is also a CONCEALED WEAPON PERMIT holder.

    The double standard is exposed.

    Death to Tyrants!!!

    Those who would offer any interpretation that would relegate Amendment II to "relic" status of a bygone era are blatantly stating that the remainder of the Bill of Rights isn't worth a damn, either.

    Luke 22:36.
Sign In or Register to comment.