Dateline: 07/01/02

A limited number of commercial airline pilots would be allowed to carry firearms for a two-year period under a compromise agreement just approved by a House transportation subcommittee.

Rep. John Mica (R-Florida, 7th), announced on June 26 that the Aviation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee had approve on a voice vote the bill H.R. 4635, the Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act, ordering the the Transportation Security Administration to develop and implement a two-year "demonstration period" during which a limited number of volunteer pilots would be armed.

"I strongly believe that under these circumstances, arming trained and highly qualified flight crew members is a necessary step to ensure the safety and security of the flying public," said Rep. Mica, who chairs the subcommittee.

The subcommittee's action comes after a May 26 decision by the Transpiration Security Agency (TSA) banning pilots from carrying guns.

While the major airlines supported the TSA's decision to ban guns from the cockpit, major pilots' unions continue to support arming their pilots and vowed to lobby for passage of pilot-arming legislation.

Under the bill H.R. 4635 - the Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act, the Transportation Security Agency would be required to, within four months, to develop a program under which an initial group of 250 volunteer pilots would be trained and deputized to carry firearms for a two-year trial period. Pilots with military or law enforcement backgrounds would be given preference in the selection process. Two similar bills to arm pilots, S. 2546 and S. 2554, have been introduced in the Senate.

Should the trial program prove effective, up to 2 percent of all commercial airline pilots -- about 1,400 -- would be deputized and armed.

Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minnesota, 8th), who had first opposed arming pilots supported the compromise bill. "Aircraft security, like aircraft safety, depends on an interlocking, interconnected web of redundancy," said Oberstar. "This would not be necessary if the rest of the system were ready."

Some significant amendments to the bill are expected when the bill is considered by the full House Transportation Committee.

One controversial amendment would allow the airlines to "opt-out," by choosing not to allow their pilots to participate in the program. Most airlines have expressed opposition to arming pilots. The amendment, proposed by Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas, 30th), would also add a provision ensuring that training of new Federal Air Marshals take precedence over training of armed pilots.

A second amendment, to be offered by Rep. Nick Lampson (D-Texas, 9th), would require a study on how existing armed federal law enforcement officers, like FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration officers, who fly as part of their routine duty could help improve aircraft security.