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GAO-02-822R 1 (2002-06-28)

handle is hein.gao/gaobaalzu0001 and id is 1 raw text is: £ Accountability * Integrity * Reliability United States General Accounting Office Washington, DC 20548 June 28, 2002 The Honorable Ernest F. Hollings Chairman, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation United States Senate Subject: Information Concerning the Arming of Commercial Pilots Dear Mr. Chairman: Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, legislation has been enacted to enhance the nation's approach to aviation security. Specifically, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act created the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and, among other actions, federalized passenger and baggage screening staff at airports and authorized the arming of commercial pilots, subject to the approval of the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security and other conditions.' On May 21, 2002, the Under Secretary testified that he would not approve the arming of commercial pilots because he believed they must focus exclusively on flying the aircraft. However, the question of arming pilots remains open because H.R. 4635, introduced on May 1, 2002, would require TSA to establish a program to arm pilots within 90 days of the bill's enactment. On June 19, 2002, the House Transportation and Infrastructure's Subcommittee on Aviation passed an amended version of H.R. 4635 to limit the maximum number of pilots participating in this pilot program to 2 percent of the total number of pilots employed by air carriers and require that TSA address a number of procedural issues before beginning the selection, training, and deputizing of pilots. In addition, four other bills, introduced before the Aviation and Transportation Security Act's enactment, include proposals to carry weapons.2 (See enc. I for more detailed information.) To facilitate congressional decision-making, you asked us to provide information on (1) reasons for and against allowing pilots to carry firearms in the cockpit; (2) questions to be addressed if pilots were to be armed; and (3) possible alternatives to arming pilots, such as providing them with less-than-lethal weapons. On May 20, 2002, we briefed you 'P.L. 107-71, November 19, 2001. 'H.R. 2958, H.R. 2896, H.R. 3171, and S. 1463. GAO-02-822R Information on Arming Pilots

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