Political Quotes

“the Senate passed an amendment by myself and Senator Conrad Burns of Montana to allow for armed pilots as the first line of deterrence and the last line of defense for cockpit security. The first line of deterrence because terrorists will know that armed pilots will be able to defend the cockpit and defend the aircraft from a hijacking. The last line of defense, because, when all else fails, including the armed air marshals and the reinforced cockpit door, an armed pilot will be in the cockpit to defend the cockpit from terrorist hijackers. The pilots support this amendment. The Bob Smith/Conrad Burns amendment had the endorsement of the Airline Pilots Association and the Allied Pilots Association. In addition, The National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America supported the amendment. And most importantly the American people supported our efforts. According to a draft provided to myself, section 125 of this conference report, titled flight deck security provides that the pilot of a passenger aircraft is authorized to carry a firearm if four conditions are met. First, ``the Undersecretary of Transportation for Transportation Security approves.'' The will of the Congress is clear that the Department of Transportation should approve a reasonable program to arm pilots.”