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BATF/Waco Magaw's Refusal to
Arm Pilots No Surprise FROM: OFF ALERT, May 21, 2002 Today, the "gun friendly" Bush administration announced that it
will not allow pilots to have firearms in their cockpits to protect passengers
and aircraft. John Magaw, an undersecretary with the Department of Transportation made the
announcement in testimony before a Senate committee. While an outrage, this comes as no surprise. Magaw is the former head of the
BATF. The overwhelming majority of Americans support allowing pilots to be armed,
but today the Bush administration decided that permitting pilots to have guns
was "too dangerous." They have, however, not rescinded their
willingness to blow airplanes full of Americans out of the sky using fighter
jets. Apparently they consider that option less dangerous. Magaw cited his experience in "law enforcement" while explaining
that he would prohibit pilots from having the ability to defend their aircraft.
If the history of the BATF is any indication and Magaw is now in a position of
power at the Transportation Department it would be wise to carefully consider
staying away from airplanes at least until the next election. This is not over however. In the House, Representatives Don Young (R-AK) and
John Mica (R-FL) are the sponsors of H.R.
4635, a bill to allow pilots to be armed. Senator Bob Smith (R-NH) is
expected to introduce a companion bill in the Senate sometime this week. Please contact your Representatives and urge them to reverse an insane policy
that trusts pilots with a airplane filled with passengers but not with a
firearm. Please remind them that all locked cabin doors will guarantee is a
plane full or dead passengers. You can call your Representative at 202-225-3121 or toll-free at
1-877-762-8762. To find your House Rep, please use the GOA Legislative Action Center at http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm
You can contact Senators Wyden and Smith at the following addresses: Senator Smith Senator Wyden Sample text follows: Dear Senator/ Representative, I strongly urge your support of legislation to permit airline pilots to be
armed. It is the height of lunacy to trust these men and women with an airplane
and then suggest they cannot be trusted with a firearm. Please don't believe
the lies about cabin "depressurization" and other myths. If they
were true then the only sensible response would be to disarm sky marshals. The events of Sept. 11 illustrate the dangers faced by unarmed Americans
when confronted with murderous terrorists. Please do all you can to see that
this legislation is enacted and signed by the President. Very truly yours, ------------- Want to support the Oregon Firearms Federation while simultaneously making a
political and fashion statement? Order an OFF tee shirt. You'll be helping OFF fight for your rights and
demonstrating your sartorial savvy. Go to our secure site to order. http://oregonfirearms.org/store/index.html |
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