Arms for airline pilots? In the quest to keep air travel safe, lawmakers are considering allowing pilots to carry guns. Will armed cockpits boost security? (opinion).YES The events of Sept. 11 have dramatically changed how we must defend our planes and passengers. It is now conceivable con·ceive v. con·ceived, con·ceiv·ing, con·ceives v.tr. 1. To become pregnant with (offspring). 2. that our own Air Force would be ordered to shoot down a plane full of innocent passengers due to a terrorist takeover. Under these new circumstances CIRCUMSTANCES, evidence. The particulars which accompany a fact. 2. The facts proved are either possible or impossible, ordinary and probable, or extraordinary and improbable, recent or ancient; they may have happened near us, or afar off; they are public or , we must allow trained and qualified pilots to serve as the last line of defense against such a potential disaster. I have introduced legislation that will allow pilots to carry guns to defend the cockpit This article is about the flight deck of an aircraft. For other uses, see Cockpit (disambiguation). A cockpit is the area usually nearer the front of a piloted aircraft from which a pilot controls the aircraft. of an aircraft. Different versions of this bill were overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and now await AWAIT, crim. law. Seems to signify what is now understood by lying in wait, or way-laying. reconciliation. Some argue that measures such as beefed-up airport security, screening all checked bags, and federal air marshals aboard some flights will stop future disasters. These changes are important, but they are not foolproof. We must do more. Our pilots are already entrusted with the lives of every passenger on the plane. Many of them have backgrounds in the military and have some experience with firearms This is an extensive list of small arms — pistol, machine gun, grenade launcher, anti-tank rifle — that includes variants. : Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A
To participate in this program, a pilot would have to undergo a background check and then extensive training. With two pilots on every flight, having one pilot protect the cockpit with a gun would not interfere with safe flying. Furthermore, pilots would not leave the cockpit with their guns; they would use the guns only to prevent hijackers from entering the cockpit. The alternative, should hijackers take control of the plane, might be for the Air Force to shoot it down. Plane manufacturers believe that commercial planes are strong enough to withstand damage from several bullets in the event of a midair tussle. On Sept. 11, 246 people aboard four planes, including eight unarmed pilots, were among the thousands killed by terrorist hijackers. Today, F-16s stand ready to stop this from ever happening again. But wouldn't it be better to give pilots what they need to be the last line of defense in the event of another terrorist hijacking hijacking Crime of seizing possession or control of a vehicle from another by force or threat of force. Although by the late 20th century hijacking most frequently involved the seizure of an airplane and its forcible diversion to destinations chosen by the air pirates, when ? --REP. DON YOUNG (R-Alaska) NO We strongly oppose guns of any kind in the cockpits of our nation s passenger planes. Giving the task of defending an airliner to a pilot, who is already busy flying the plane, is potentially disastrous. Consider first of all that these weapons would be potentially available to every passenger on board, and any would-be terrorists would know that a gun is available. Even highly trained police officers, whose only job is law enforcement, all too often have their service weapons turned against them by suspects. One study found that 21 percent of officers killed with a handgun were shot with their own weapons. Experience also teaches that when police fire their weapons during confrontation, they sometimes make grave mistakes in deciding when deadly force An amount of force that is likely to cause either serious bodily injury or death to another person. Police officers may use deadly force in specific circumstances when they are trying to enforce the law. is justified. It is naive to believe pilots will perform any better, especially when they will have the additional responsibility of flying the plane while fending off an attack. Recognizing the simple danger of loaded handguns at 30,000 feet, another potential problem is the weapons going off unintentionally. Many handguns, including popular models used by police departments, can fire when dropped or bumped. One errant er·rant adj. 1. Roving, especially in search of adventure: knights errant. 2. Straying from the proper course or standards: errant youngsters. 3. bullet could damage key flight controls, kill or injure To interfere with the legally protected interest of another or to inflict harm on someone, for which an action may be brought. To damage or impair. The term injure is comprehensive and can apply to an injury to a person or property. Cross-references Tort Law. a fellow pilot or other flight-crew member, or potentially pierce Pierce may refer to: Places
There are many necessary and constructive steps that can be taken to protect pilots and passengers short of arming pilots. Improved airport security and reinforced cockpit doors so that passengers cannot enter the cockpits are concrete steps in the right direction. The lesson learned on Sept. 11 is to secure the pilot in the cockpit and get the plane on the ground as quickly as possible. If firearms are absolutely necessary, they should be carried by trained air marshals whose only responsibility is protecting the safety of the passengers and crew members. The outcome of a shootout Shootout Venture capital jargon. Refers to two or more venture capital firms fighting for the startup. in the sky is risky at best. Let's focus on measures that would prevent attacks rather than risk replicating in the air the gun violence America already knows too well on the ground. --KRISTEN RAND Legislative Director Violence Policy Center |
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