Written by Frank Carbone Jr

Published 6/5/02
Written by Frank Carbone Jr.

Pilots, Passengers and others -- Sitting Ducks?

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta recently made a decision that airline pilots be unarmed in the cockpit. For the time being the pilot doesn’t stand a chance to defend the cockpit -- and also all of the passengers in the plane and those on the ground -- in the event of a violent takeover of the plane.

Mineta made this decision knowing that the pilots would be left defenseless and have been so since last September. If another violent takeover of an aircraft takes place and if it is determined that the aircraft might be used to destroy targets on the ground, then F-16’s will be used to shoot the airliner down. So why not give the pilot the opportunity to save the lives of his passengers as well as his own before being shot down by US Fighters.

I’m sure that Secretary isn’t making this decision on his own. It is coming from the those high level public servants who have all of the free armed protection that they want. President Bush is certainly behind this poor decision to disarm the pilots -- I‘m sure that his pilots are armed.

John “No Draw” Magaw, Director of the Transportation Security Administration, also has stated that pilots don't need firearms because federal air marshals will do the job. But some sources are saying that there aren’t enough air marshals to man every flight and a very small percentage of flights are actually manned by an air marshal.

The Airline Pilots Association has voted in favor of arming all airline pilots many of which are former military pilots. If we can trust them with a multi-million dollar flying machine and hundreds of lives at 30,00 feet then we should be able to trust them with the proper use of a firearm.

While the Bush Administration and Congress vacillates -- about the protection of airline passengers against a violent takeover. The folks who become the passengers are still at the mercy of those who are hell-bent on hi-jacking the plane -- foreign or domestic.

Arming of airline pilots in the cockpit is as necessary as arming our police and military. The pilot of any aircraft at 30,000 feet is the captain of the ship as well as judge, jury and executioner. He needs every means possible to protect his passengers, his crew, thousands on the ground and a very valuable piece of equipment. If we trust him/her to fly a complex aircraft and have the lives of hundreds and even thousands of people in his/her hands then we should be able to trust him/her with a firearm to protect the cockpit against an invasion.

If he can't control/protect his ship as was the case in the 9/11 incidents then US fighter jets will control it for him -- the airline will be shot down anyway. Having an ax in the cockpit and door locking bars is not good enough to fend off an invasion of the cockpit by those hell-bent on taking the plane into oblivion.

From what I already knew about the airline industry before 9/11 -- I was reluctant to fly "the friendly skies." Now that I see the administration's position on this important issue that needed an immediate, intelligent resolution months ago if not before 9/11 -- I wonder how they can make other important decisions on our welfare, protection and safety.

I can certainly appreciate those folks who have never owned, handled or used a firearm that they would be reluctant to see anyone else use a firearm. But in a situation where hundreds of lives are at risk -- it should be "any port in a storm." Use the best implement/device available to protect innocent lives against a nut who is hell-bent on a suicide mission. In my opinion that device should be an efficient firearm that is used by a trained individual.

I understand that congress is currently working on a bill that would authorize a firearms program for pilots at the same time exempt the airlines from liability. While our public servants in Washington hold meetings and deliberate on what should be a “cut and dry decision” to protect the people at all costs -- our enemies are planning their next move.

* * *

The following letter, written by Tom King, President of New York State Rifle and Pistol Association is being sent to all NYS gubernatorial candidates and will shortly be sent to all candidates for statewide public office. The questions that Mr. King is posing can be used as a good guide for some of us who communicate with our current or future public servants.

Dear ______________

The New York State Rifle & Pistol Association is the oldest pro 2^nd Amendment group in

the United States and is the NRA affiliate in New York State. Every two years we rate all candidates running for statewide office. This year because of redistricting and the numerous Senate, Assembly and Gubernatorial primaries we are attempting to provide a clear and accurate picture of each candidate prior to the primaries. The nearly 2,000,000 hunters, shooters and sportsmen of New York State need this information to make educated decisions when they go to the polls. To this end please respond with a concise statement of your position regarding the issues important to our constituents.

In your response please take into account the following areas and state your position on each:

- Statewide shall issue unrestricted handgun licenses
- Firearm education
- Semi-automatic firearms
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Minimum age for firearm ownership/usage
- Minimum age for hunting
- Firearm registration
- DNA fingerprinting of firearms
- The Conservation Fund is constitutionally protected. Will you reaffirm that protection?
- Briefly state your interpretation of the 2^nd Amendment

The ratings will be based on your answer to this request, past public statements and voting record. A failure to respond will be noted and will result in the lowest rating possible.

We thank you in advance for your help in providing our voters with your position and thoughts regarding these very important matters. Please contact me at your convenience if you have any questions. Thank you.

Sincerely, Thomas H. King

* * *
The Shooters Committee On Political Education (SCOPE) also sends a similar questionnaire to all potential candidates and incumbents. SCOPE has chapters locally in Orange, Dutchess and Ulster Counties. The Orange County Chair is Mike Kubow -- 496-1183.