Posted by Phil Lee (208.19.133.132) on December 04, 2001 at 16:30:
November 15, 2001
Dear Senator McCain,
Guns in the hands of pilots are the best way to defend the cockpit against
terrorist attacks on commercial aircraft. We cannot afford the numbers of
air marshals needed to provide protection on more than a small fraction of
the daily flights. Even when a Marshall is on an attacked aircraft, his
shooting toward the cockpit puts all the passengers at risk -- what if the
Marshall shoots the pilots? Shooting in the other direction to stop a
person breaking into the cockpit puts far fewer at risk.
If we are to trust pilots with our lives while aboard, why should we
not trust them to utilize the best tool available to prevent hijackings?
Make no mistake, the pilots themselves want to defend themselves with real
guns. At least four local pilot unions have passed resolutions around the
country stating they will strike if they are not allowed to defend their
planes and passengers with firearms. You can read about this for yourself at
http://www.gunowners.org/op0142.htm on the web.
You should know that I'm already "on-strike". I will not fly again if the
carrier does not supply pilots with firearms. I have little trust in the
current effectiveness of government screening. I'm equally sure the
American people will not tolerate the treatment they receive when screened
for very long (I won't even now). So, I don't expect screening
effectiveness to improve.
I do trust pilots and air marshals for that matter with firearms. I don't
trust Congress to keep supplying the number of marshals necessary to provide
the level of protection I think is needed. So, the only way to be sure
there is an armed good guy on the plane is to arm the pilots.
I think there are many who feel as I do. So, understand when I say I will
lay at your door the responsibility for future attacks if pilots are not
provided firearms.
Sincerely,
Philip F. Lee