John Mica: “the modification that we just offered to my amendment is merely technical and does provide some conforming and…”

“the modification that we just offered to my amendment is merely technical and does provide some conforming and consistent language. The manager's amendment that I have offered today does make some relatively minor changes. However, it does not change at all the fundamental thrust of the legislation, and that is to establish a pilot program under which about 2 percent, 2 percent specified and about 1,400 pilots, can arm themselves to stop a hijacking. We chose that number because, again, we think during the next 2 years that will provide us a good test basis; and given TSA's track record and performance, I think that is probably about all they can do in that time frame to get this program under way. The purpose of this amendment today is to address some of the issues that have been raised, but not totally resolved, during our committee markup. For example, the bill directs the Secretary of the Transportation Security Administration, TSA, to focus on the safest way to store guns between flights. This amendment also directs the TSA to decide whether a pilot should be subject to an additional background check before being allowed to be traveling armed. This amendment also directs the TSA to minimize any risk that might occur from the accidental discharge of a weapon. It further makes clear that the pilot could lose the right to fly armed if that pilot is responsible for the accidental discharge of a weapon.”