Posted on 03/04/2002 3:35:35 AM PST by johnandrhonda
Armed pilots a bad idea, Ridge says
By Judy Keen, USA TODAY
. WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge says pilots should not be allowed to keep guns in cockpits to thwart hijackings. "I don't think we want to equip our pilots with firearms," Ridge said in an interview. "That doesn't make a lot of sense to me." White House officials say Ridge's view reflects the thinking of President Bush, who has not yet commented publicly on the issue. Ridge's opposition echoes Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, who told the Los Angeles Times in an interview published Saturday that he, too, opposes pilots' demands for firearms to defend cockpits.
But Mineta said he would support stun guns, which use electrical current to temporarily disable an attacker. Ridge did not express an opinion on stun guns.
Ridge's and Mineta's opposition makes it unlikely that the Bush administration will permit guns in cockpits. John Magaw, head of the new Transportation Security Administration, will decide, but not "in the immediate future," said Jim Mitchell, a spokesman for Magaw.
USA TODAY asked readers to submit questions about terrorism to Ridge. He is the first head of homeland security, a post created after terrorists crashed hijacked airliners into the World Trade Center and Pentagon on Sept. 11.
A third of the 393 people who submitted questions asked about aviation security. Many pilots, flight attendants and passengers endorsed the idea of arming pilots. "Why can I not have one last chance to save my passengers and crew?" asked J.J. Lowers, an airline captain from Orange County, Calif.
"Where do you stop?" Ridge replied. If pilots carry guns, he said, railroad engineers and bus drivers could ask to do the same.
The Air Line Pilots Association supports letting pilots carry guns on a voluntary basis, provided they receive training.
Some pilots say guns would help deter hijackers. Other pilots and some aviation safety experts say guns would create new hazards: pilot distraction, accidental discharge or theft.
United Airlines said last week that it will train pilots to use stun guns, even though the devices haven't been approved by federal aviation officials.
In response to the Sept. 11 attacks, domestic airlines have strengthened cockpit doors with steel bars. By April 2003, jets must be equipped with doors that cannot be broken down and can resist small-arms fire.
Contributing: Alan Levin and Blake Morrison
"Where do you stop?" Ridge replied. If pilots carry guns, he said, railroad engineers and bus drivers could ask to do the same.
It doesn't make sense to him to arm pilots, but it does make sense to spend $320 million to fly F-16s around ready to shoot down any hijacked plane, along with the terrorists, crew, and passengers. And comparing a hijacked airplane to a hijacked bus or train is too ridiculous to contemplate.
Great question!
Next thing you know, single women walking home at night might get some newfangled notion about carrying a firearm.
Ridge says arming pilots "doesn't make a lot of sense"
Good. I have no problem with service providers being able to protect themselves and their customers. I would also point out that many small shopkeepers have a firearm under the counter for that very reason. I have never heard of one of them shooting a customer, only bad guys.
Brave words for a man with a bunch of armed bodyguards.
My dad worked for the railroad for thirty years, and he was (illegaly) armed the whole time.
Why do we have to suffer these fools?
Odd how we managed mnay years without this even when we were attacked by the Japanese. What should have happened is to have all the various government groups TALK TO ONE ANOTHER and SHARE information instead of setting up another group to duplicate what is already in place. I agee, Ridge is another ***hole. On the other hand, he's favorable to abortion. Maybe he simply devalues human life, unborn and those allowed to be born.
You really think these politicians really care about the constitution?
I think not, more interested in keeping the serfs from revolting.
Must make sure the deltas get their Soma.
Anyone who wants to put a device that generates a huge electrical discharge in the cockpit of a plane is unfit for any job that does not involve several hundred daily repetitions of the phrase "Do you want fries with that?"
Does his slippery slope also apply to the abortion meaning it's okay for the unborn to be randomming murdered and now we have pilots who should also be allowed to be randomly killed maimed by armed enemies. I'm telling you, pro abortion people have no regard for life - unborn or otherwise.
Ridge pulls out the slippery slope when convenient. Bet he won't give up ANY of his body guards either.
I also recall the story where the pilot's union brought this up and Bush's retort was, "We don't want to do THAT."
They're just afraid the sheep might learn that security can be found in the barrel of a firearm. Common knowledge for a hundred years is foolishness now.
Meet the new Boss...
Exactly! I'm saying that their opposition to this initive is simply a case of government bureaucrats protecting their jobs.
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