(Tuesday, October 2, 2001) -- Senator Bob Smith's office has informed Gun Owners of America that the Senator may be offering a pro-gun amendment as early as tomorrow. The language would be modeled after the bill he introduced last week (S. 1463), and would be offered as an amendment to the Aviation Security Act.
This amendment, if passed, would preempt what is an anticipated regulation by the FAA to outright prohibit guns in the cockpit. Senator Smith's language would block such a regulation and provide the opportunity for pilots to use firearms to defend their passengers and planes. It would also provide for reinforcing the cockpit doors on commercial aircrafts.
ACTION: Please contact your Senators and ask them to support the Smith "Airline Pilot Safety" amendment that will adopt a common-sense solution to stopping terrorism on board commercial flights. You can use the pre-written text below to help direct your comments to the U.S. Senate.
You can call your Senators at 202-224-3121. To identify your Senators, as well as to send a message via e-mail, plug in your zipcode under Elected Officials at http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm in the GOA Legislative Action Center.
Dear Senator:
Senator Bob Smith will be introducing an amendment to the Aviation Security Act. I urge you to vote in favor of his amendment.
The Smith amendment will provide the opportunity for pilots to use firearms to defend their passengers and planes, as well as provide for reinforcing the cockpit doors on commercial aircraft.
I urge you to vote for the Smith amendment, as it can help save the lives of pilots, crew members, and passengers -- not to mention the lives of thousands of citizens on the ground.
Sincerely,
If you are a pilot, or work in the aerospace industry, please let GOA know by dropping an e-mail to goamail@gunowners.org at your convenience.