John Hostettler: “The amendment strikes the language in this bill that gives preferential treatment to pilots who were former military or…”

“The amendment strikes the language in this bill that gives preferential treatment to pilots who were former military or former law enforcement personnel. It is correct, Mr. Chairman, that there is a preference only, but if we want a cross-section, a complete cross-section, of pilots who volunteer to take part in this plan, the question is, why do we have a preference in the first place? The underlying bill calls for, at this time, a rigorous training program, a rigorous training program that would result in a pilot who has much responsibility in the safety of the crew and passengers of the flight already, a program that he or she would have to take part in in order to become a flight deck officer and wield a weapon potentially on board a flight. Mr. Chairman, if we truly want a cross-section, then I believe that the preference is not necessary. There are thousands of pilots who desire to carry firearms on to the flight deck, lethal force to protect the crew and passengers of their plane, of the flight, that have never been in the military or in law enforcement.”