[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12414]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             H.R. 4635, ARMING PILOTS AGAINST TERRORISM ACT

  (Mr. BOOZMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4635, the 
Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act. This responsible legislation 
establishes a trial program to deputize pilots to carry guns in the 
cockpit, which would provide one last line of defense against terrorist 
attacks.
  We have made great strides since 9-11 to ensure that air travel is 
safe from terrorist threat. However, heightened security and reinforced 
cockpit doors are not enough. And while I am in full support of the 
Federal air marshal program, the reality is that there are not enough 
air marshals for every flight.
  I have spoken with a number of pilots who support the concept of guns 
in the cockpit, and a majority of my constituents have voiced their 
desire to have this added level of security on their flights.
  Mr. Speaker, the terrorist threat is real and our aviation system is 
still vulnerable to attacks. I commend the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. 
Young) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica) for their hard work in 
the Committee on Transportation to create this sensible plan and 
encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4635.

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