Space Wrangler
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- Joined
- Apr 21, 2004
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Plagerized from another website:
There are two new bills that are currently being considered before the 109th Congress. Both S. 2268 and H.R. 4126 are entitled the "Cockpit Security Technical Corrections and Improvements Act of 2004" (or "Cockpit Security Act" for short). The Cockpit Security Act would radically simplify and redirect FFDO selection, training and implementation. Any commercial pilot with an FAA license who is not prohibited by federal law from carrying a firearm would automatically be approved as an FFDO. All FFDOs would have to complete an approved firearms-training course before being officially sworn in. Unlike the current situation, in which TSA firearms training is offered at only one location in New Mexico, a number of private U.S. training facilities would be certified to train FFDOs.
The legislation would also put many more FFDOs in the air. The bill would provide that all airline pilots who have active, retired or reserve military status and who have had military firearms training would be automatically approved as active FFDOs. These pilots would be required to complete an approved firearms instruction program within 120 days of appointment. About 70 percent of all airline pilots have prior military experience. The automatic-appointment provision would also apply to pilots who are active or retired law enforcement officers.
One of the legislation's most critical provisions addresses the nonsensical firearms lockbox requirement. Under the bill, FFDOs would be permitted to carry concealed firearms in the same manner as other federal officers. They would also be allowed to use their firearms outside the cockpit if the need arose. All FFDOs would also be "Badged" within 120 days.
On any given flight, there may be one or more armed federal officers riding as passengers. There is currently no single chain of command for these officers. The Cockpit Security Act would stipulate that if the pilot of the aircraft is an FFDO, he is automatically the senior federal law enforcement officer on the plane. The legislation would also allow any FFDO to disclose any information about the FFDO program to any member of Congress. This provision would measurably improve Congressional oversight of the FFDO program.
There's no guarantee that the Cockpit Security Act will pass Congress and be signed by the president. But even without new legislation, Congress still controls the purse strings for the TSA and the FFDO program. That authority can and should be used.
I know many of you have been waiting for this "Full-Time" carry to come about in the FFDO program. This is still a bill (yes it's only a bill and it's sitting there on capital hill) and it needs all of our support. Please call or write your representatives to day and tell them that you support:
Both S. 2268 and H.R. 4126 are entitled the "Cockpit Security Technical Corrections and Improvements Act of 2004" (or "Cockpit Security Act" for short)
There are two new bills that are currently being considered before the 109th Congress. Both S. 2268 and H.R. 4126 are entitled the "Cockpit Security Technical Corrections and Improvements Act of 2004" (or "Cockpit Security Act" for short). The Cockpit Security Act would radically simplify and redirect FFDO selection, training and implementation. Any commercial pilot with an FAA license who is not prohibited by federal law from carrying a firearm would automatically be approved as an FFDO. All FFDOs would have to complete an approved firearms-training course before being officially sworn in. Unlike the current situation, in which TSA firearms training is offered at only one location in New Mexico, a number of private U.S. training facilities would be certified to train FFDOs.
The legislation would also put many more FFDOs in the air. The bill would provide that all airline pilots who have active, retired or reserve military status and who have had military firearms training would be automatically approved as active FFDOs. These pilots would be required to complete an approved firearms instruction program within 120 days of appointment. About 70 percent of all airline pilots have prior military experience. The automatic-appointment provision would also apply to pilots who are active or retired law enforcement officers.
One of the legislation's most critical provisions addresses the nonsensical firearms lockbox requirement. Under the bill, FFDOs would be permitted to carry concealed firearms in the same manner as other federal officers. They would also be allowed to use their firearms outside the cockpit if the need arose. All FFDOs would also be "Badged" within 120 days.
On any given flight, there may be one or more armed federal officers riding as passengers. There is currently no single chain of command for these officers. The Cockpit Security Act would stipulate that if the pilot of the aircraft is an FFDO, he is automatically the senior federal law enforcement officer on the plane. The legislation would also allow any FFDO to disclose any information about the FFDO program to any member of Congress. This provision would measurably improve Congressional oversight of the FFDO program.
There's no guarantee that the Cockpit Security Act will pass Congress and be signed by the president. But even without new legislation, Congress still controls the purse strings for the TSA and the FFDO program. That authority can and should be used.
I know many of you have been waiting for this "Full-Time" carry to come about in the FFDO program. This is still a bill (yes it's only a bill and it's sitting there on capital hill) and it needs all of our support. Please call or write your representatives to day and tell them that you support:
Both S. 2268 and H.R. 4126 are entitled the "Cockpit Security Technical Corrections and Improvements Act of 2004" (or "Cockpit Security Act" for short)