Bush to Sign Legislation Allowing Guns in Airplane Cockpits

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, November 26, 2002

Bush to Sign Legislation Allowing Guns in Airplane Cockpits

US President Bush Monday will sign legislation that allows airline pilots to carry guns in cockpits, but it will be months before any take their weapons aboard.

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US President Bush Monday will sign legislation that allows airline pilots to carry guns in cockpits, but it will be months before any take their weapons aboard.

And when they do, it's likely that fewer than half of the roughly 75,000 pilots will choose or qualify to take the controversial step of arming themselves.

Before any pilot can pack a handgun, the government must set up a training program to make pilots proficient at shooting inside the confined quarters of a cockpit. The government also must write rules on what weapons should be allowed, how pilots carry the guns to and from the aircraft and whether they can carry them off duty.

The authority to carry weapons is contained in legislation that establishes a department of homeland security by merging 22 federal agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration, in an effort to make the USA less vulnerable to terrorism.

Letting pilots carry guns is designed to discourage hijackers. But it was a controversial step. Congress voted to allow it over early objections of the TSA after pilots lobbied ferociously for the authority. TSA officials had argued that armed Federal Air Marshals provide sufficient safety in the air. The legislation also authorizes flight attendants to get self-defense training.

The legislation says the TSA should begin arming pilots within 90 days but gives the agency wide latitude to write rules.

Source: Agencies

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