Arming pilots

Washington Times ^ | Friday, June 21, 2002

[JohnHuang2]

Not all pilots would be armed under the terms of a compromise proposal offered by House Democrats and Republicans on Tuesday, but at least 250 of them would be. That, in combination with the presence of armed federal air marshals, might give would-be terrorists a case of the second thoughts. The greater the likelihood of encountering an air crew capable of defending itself and its passengers, the less likely that an attempt will be made to commandeer the plane. Terrorist thugs almost by definition choose "soft" targets and avoid places where people are more likely to put up a fight.

[JohnHuang2]

Friday, June 21, 2002

Quote of the Day by Snuffington

[Hap]

Not only should they arm ALL pilots and have sky marshalls on ALL flights, I think they should let people who have concealed carry permits carry guns on flights.

When someone obtains a concealed carry license, they have to pass an FBI background check. They also have to pass a written exam as well as a field accuracy test. I think the concealed carry license is good for 4 years (at least in Texas). Why not let these people take some kind of "aviation firearm safety" course and get licensed to carry a gun on an airplane? It could be a license that could be renewed at the same time the concealed carry license is renewed. Maybe as an added perk, those citizens could show their license and pass through the security checkpoints a little quicker.

I think a terrorist would think twice before trying to hijack a plane if he or she knew there were trained citizens carrying firearms on board. Just a thought.

[Xenalyte]

What you said, chica. Arm the pilots! Hell, arm the stewardesses!