Investigative Journal
Mineta slow to give
pilots guns
Public needs to
call Senators
12/21/2001 888WebToday.com By David M. Bresnahan
Regardless of the final airline security system put in place by the government, terrorists will find a way to get through the system if they are sufficiently determined.
No security system can possibly protect airlines and passengers completely. Somehow the bad guys will find a way through. It is inevitable.
Passengers want to know that every possible step has been taken to prevent a problem, but if terrorists do manage to get on board a plane what is the final line of defense?
Recently President George W. Bush signed into law the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, a portion of which allows for airline pilots to be armed. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta has failed to take action, so members of both the House and Senate are letting Mineta know that he is expected to implement the provision.
A petition aimed at arming pilots has made it through the U.S. House and is now progressing through the U.S. Senate, thanks to the members of the Gun Owners of America (http://www.gunowners.org).
Rep. John Hostettler, R-Ind., and Don Young, R-Ala., secured more than 60 signatures of other congressmen on their petition to Mineta. Phone calls, faxes and e-mails sent by members of GOA helped influence many of those who signed, according to Larry Pratt, GOA executive director.
"They are asking Secretary Mineta to quickly implement the new law that President Bush signed on November 19 allowing pilots to possess firearms for the protection of passengers and crew," explained Pratt in a statement.
Sen. Bob Smith, R-NH, is circulating a similar letter in the Senate and is inviting his fellow colleagues to join him in petitioning Mineta, so Pratt has asked his members to make similar calls to their senators.
"Both houses of Congress, as well as the Airline Pilots Association and Allied Pilots Association, have demonstrated support for providing pilots the means to effectively protect commercial aircraft from violent acts by terrorists," Smith's letter says.
"We believe that armed pilots are a first line of deterrence to terrorism, because terrorists will know that armed pilots will be behind that reinforced cockpit door to defend the aircraft. We further believe that armed pilots are the last line of defense against terrorism, because when all else fails, an armed pilot will be provided with the most effective means to disable a terrorist. Accordingly, we hope that you and the new Undersecretary will move expeditiously to implement Section 128 [of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act]."
Laws have little if any benefit when they are not used. Mineta will implement the new law if enough congressmen and members of the public demand it. Every responsible U.S. citizen should be on the phone to his Senator making that demand immediately.
***
David M. Bresnahan is an award-winning
investigative journalist and author. Autographed copies of his newest book
are available at http://911TerrorInAmerica.com
or by calling 1-800-338-8824. An archive of his work can be found at http://InvestigativeJournal.com,
and he can be contacted at David@InvestigativeJournal.com.
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