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| Bill would allow airline pilots to pack a rod |
| 2001-09-23 |
In the wake of last week's hijackings and terrorist attacks in New York City and at the Pentagon, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, has introduced a bill that would permanently allow commercial airline pilots to be armed. The bill, H.R. 2896, entitled, "The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001," was introduced Sept. 14, just three days after terrorists slammed three fuel-laden airliners into both of the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon. A fourth hijacked airliner, believed headed to Washington, D.C., crashed 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Authorities have said there is evidence to believe that some of the passengers overpowered hijackers and forced the plane down. The bill states, "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no department or agency of the federal government shall prohibit any pilot, copilot, or navigator of an aircraft, or any law enforcement personnel specifically detailed for the protection of that aircraft, from carrying a firearm." It has no cosponsors. Currently, Federal Aviation Administration regulations permit pilots to be armed, provided they are properly authorized. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |