The following is from a Front Sight e-mail:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2001
CONTACT:
Dr. Ignatius Piazza
1.800.987.7719
Fax: 831.684.2137
e-mail:
[email protected]http://www.frontsight.com
WHICH AIRLINE WILL COMMAND AND CONTROL THE SKIES?
Dr. Ignatius Piazza, Founder and Director of Front Sight
Firearms Training Institute in Las Vegas Nevada ...has offered to train commercial pilots and co-pilots
FREE OF CHARGE from every commercial airline that allows the
pilot and co-pilot to carry a gun on board to defend the
cockpit.
Piazza states, "All a commercial airline needs to do is call me and
we can start training their pilots tomorrow-- free of
charge." Says Piazza, "Front Sight knows the public
overwhelmingly supports arming pilots because since our
first press release of September 12, where we offered to
train the pilots and co-pilots free of charge, we have been
flooded with thousands of positive phone calls, letters, and
e-mail from pilots, gun owners, and the public. 99.9%
positive response to arm and train pilots. I personally hope
American or United make the first move as it would
demonstrate a will to turn the tables on terrorists and take
back control of the skies."
Aaron Benedetti, a United Airlines co-pilot and Platinum
member of Front Sight's Firearms Training Resort in Las
Vegas agrees. "The fear of the American people is real. Air
travel is down, way down and may never recover if we
continue disarming passengers and pilots," says Benedetti.
"Airlines are laying off people by the thousands. Most
people do not know that Federal Aviation Regulation 108.11
currently allows airlines to arm their personnel with
handguns. I hope United is the first to do so. United could
once again claim they fly the friendly skies and overnight,
corner the market on armed flights. I fully support arming
pilots and co-pilots...."
Mark Donovan, a Southwest Captain and Bronze member of Front
Sight's Firearms Institute hopes that SouthWest is the first
to lead the way. Donovan states, "SouthWest clearly
dominates their market at this time and is rated #1 in
customer service, but an upstart airline or one of our
competitors could steal that away in a heartbeat with a
single press release and rotation of their pilots through
Front Sight's training courses. FAR 108.11 allows SouthWest
to authorize it's pilots to carry a handgun on board to
protect their cockpits. All it takes is the airline to make
the decision. SouthWest prides itself on Positively
Outrageous Service. What could be better service than to
insure our passengers safety with an armed and trained
pilot?"
(continued)