Dear Mr. garandman:

              Thank you for contacting me regarding arming airline pilots.
         I appreciate hearing your views on this matter.

              In response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001,
         I worked hard to ensure prompt passage of the Aviation and
         Transportation Security Act which became Public Law 107-71 when
         it was signed by President Bush on November 19, 2001.  This
         legislation contains a provision that authorizes the pilot of a
         commercial passenger aircraft to carry a firearm in the cockpit
         with the approval of the Transportation Security Administration
         (TSA) and the pilot's airline.

              The Senate voted unanimously to have security experts in the
         Bush Administration make the determination on arming pilots
         because we agreed that this decision should be based on the
         cautious consideration and study of which actions need to be
         taken to provide the highest level of security for the nation's
         traveling public.  As you know, security is a multi-layered
         effort and we have created a security process that begins before
         an individual arrives at an airport.  Public Law 107-71 also
         mandates more armed Federal Air Marshals (FAMs) on planes,
         particularly those long-distance and potentially vulnerable
         flights.  The Administration had made hiring FAMs a top priority
         and have met their targeted hiring goals.  As the law requires,
         growing numbers of FAMs will be deployed on air carriers, a
         concept endorsed by the President.  Under Secretary Magaw,
         President Bush's hand-picked head of the TSA has been working
         with his staff on the issue of guns in cockpits.  On May 21,
         2002, while testifying before the Senate Commerce Committee,
         which I chair, Mr. Magaw informed us that he has decided that,
         from a security standpoint, he will not authorize the arming of
         commercial airline pilots.  The President has said no. I agree
         and I will support the President's decision here.

              In an effort to further ensure the security of aircraft
         cockpits, I sponsored S. 2497, legislation that prohibits the
         opening of cockpit doors while in flight.  This bill is intended
         to strengthen rules regarding entrance and egress from the flight
         deck, and to provide alternatives to consider regarding the
         structuring of cockpit doors.