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CNN Live Today

Transportation Administration Rules Against Cockpit Guns

Aired May 21, 2002 - 12:05   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: As we have reported many times, a major decision today also in an airline security debate.

Patty Davis, standing by in Washington with more on this. The decision came down, announced anyway, about two hours ago -- Patty, good afternoon.

PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right -- good afternoon, Bill.

The decision is no on guns for pilots in the cockpit. Now the Transportation Security Administration made that announcement during a hearing on Capitol Hill this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN MAGAW, UNDERSECRETARY FOR TRANSPORTATION SECURITY: Utilizing the experience of my 40 years in law enforcement and consulting with all of the interested party and having our staff with a lot of experience look at this issue, and obviously consoling all along the way with the Secretary Mineta, I will not authorize firearms in the cockpit.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DAVIS: The TSA says pilots need to concentrate on flying and should the leave the shooting to federal air marshals. It suggests pilots could use in-flight maneuvers to toss hijackers around the aircraft, and also backs installing cameras in the passenger cabin so pilots can keep an eye on trouble that may be brewing back there. The pilots are unhappy with this decision. They argue that they are the last line of defense against hijackers.

The Airline Pilot's Association says it will continue to press for firearms in the cockpit with members of Congress. There is a bill in the House and one in the Senate that would give pilots the right to carry guns. As far as non-lethal stun guns or TASERs are concerned, still no decision on whether pilots can carry those or not. United Airlines, meanwhile, is training its pilots to use those TASERs, hoping that it will get the go ahead -- Bill.

HEMMER: Patty, bottom line on this second issue then, it's still a possibility that has not been ruled out across the board then, the stun gun and TASER issue, right? DAVIS: That's right, it is still a possibility. It's still under consideration by the Transportation Department. However, there are some concerns. Number one, they are worried, in fact, that it could be used by hijackers. That these pilots could be targets by the hijackers looking to use the stun guns themselves. And number two, we did our own test a few weeks ago and -- with the same M-26 that United Airlines is training its pilots in, this TASER. I personally shot six police officers. None of them were brought down by this TASER. So there are some concerns here, Bill.

HEMMER: Interesting. Patty, thanks. Patty Davis in Washington.

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