Right of Pilots To Bear Arms In The Cockpit
 IV. Summary
A.) Main Issue:
Should Air Transport Pilots be allowed to bear arms in the cockpit?
B.) Thesis:
Allowing airline pilots to carry handguns will prove to be a deterrent to acts of terrorism by giving those in control of the airplane a final line of defense in saving innocent lives.
C.) Consequences:
1. Many would argue that if pilots aren't allowed to bear arms in the cockpit they are being deprived of their 2nd Amendment Rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
2. The need for pilots to stop terrorists will become even more apparent, if our government leaders fail in efforts to provide adequate tax-dollar funding to upgrade airport security.
3. Everyone is aware of the fact that terrorist acts onboard commercial airplanes by those who desire to harm Americans are already in the works. Terrorism aboard airplanes must be taken seriously, or society faces future death and destruction in proportions greater than the tragic events of 9-11.
4. Arming pilots in the cockpit will help to preserve Commercial Airline Transportation in America by building passenger confidence. The economic downturn and significant decline in air passengers experienced by airline operators following 9-11 will increase to catastrophic levels if future acts of terrorism are allowed to occur because pilots were not afforded the final line of defense.
On November 19, 2001, President Bush signed the Aviation Security Act which contained language that would allow properly trained commercial pilots, co-pilots, and flight engineers to carry firearms aboard commercial airplanes.
(see page 28)
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