Mike Honda: “I rise today to express my steadfast opposition to H.R. 4635, legislation that would unnecessarily and unwisely…”

“I rise today to express my steadfast opposition to H.R. 4635, legislation that would unnecessarily and unwisely introduce lethal weapons into an airplane's sterile environment. As we debate final passage of this bill, I remind my colleagues that the Congress considered this issue last November when it passed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. Under that landmark aviation security legislation, a pilot of a commercial air carrier may carry an approved firearm while flying an aircraft if he or she receives approval from the Transportation Security Administrator or his or her employer. In other words, Congress deferred this critical decision to the experts who have since concluded that arming pilots may actually compromise aviation security and aviation safety. Our Nation's security leaders, Homeland Security Director Ridge, Transportation Secretary Mineta and TSA Administrator John Magaw, have all made public statements signaling their opposition to arming pilots. Members who vote for final passage of this bill will vote to override the decision of those experts principally responsible for guaranteeing the security of air travel. I join these experts in expressing my fundamental opposition to arming pilots, and I also oppose this particular bill because it mandates a pilot program before the completion of the most basic studies on the introduction of guns into the cockpit.”