====== FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ======
Wednesday, 22 May, 2002
Bush to Flying Public: Drop Dead
Boulder, CO — The newly formed America First Party
opposes the decision by Bush administration appointees to not allow commercial
airline pilots to be armed. "This administrative dictate flies in the face of
the best advice of those ultimately responsible for the planes and their
passengers-the pilots. At a time where President Bush permits our military to
shoot down hijacked commercial jets, killing everyone on board, it shows
contempt for the American people to reject the request of the nation's largest
pilot union to allow armed pilots as a final life saving option," said America
First Party Interim Chair Dan Charles.
Mr. Charles continued, "Whether the threat to our safety is from all
too common crime or the new threat of terrorism, we cannot simply rely on the
government to protect us. President Bush has admitted that putting sky marshals
on every plane is not an option as it would cost nearly 5 billion dollars and
require more than 40,000 new personnel. Our Founding Fathers recognized that a
properly trained and equipped citizen is the best defense in the home, on land,
and at sea. Surely the same is true for the air."
America First Party candidate for Tennessee's 97th State House
district James Edwards noted, "Most pilots have had years of military training.
They also expressed a willingness to go through sky marshal firearms training
program. This would give pilots the special skills to subdue a hijacker without
damage to the plane or the passengers they are responsible for. If we are truly
going to battle terrorism, we must all participate, we must all be
vigilant."
Legislation is currently before both houses of Congress to allow
pilots to be armed. Jean Groves, National Committee Member of the New Hampshire
America First Party, urged passage just such a bill. "I call for Congress to
reverse this Bush administration decision. Allowing our pilots access to
firearms would create a second line of defense and possibly prevent a repeat of
the tragedy that happened on September 11, 2001. Pilots are responsible for the
lives on their plane. It is unfortunate that Republicans and Democrats have
turned their back on both the American people and the wisdom of our nation's
Founders. However, we are not surprised."
| Contacts: |
| Dan Charles |
Interim Chair/Treasurer
|
(303) 449-0258 |
| Romelle
Winters |
Press
Secretary |
(662) 453-8412 |
| Other contacts available
upon request |
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