🚀 go-pugleaf

     Nov. 2 Neal Knox Update -- H.R. 3150, Transportation Chairman Don 
Young's (R-Alaska) Republican version of the aviation security bill, 
was approved by the House last night with language allowing commercial
airline pilots to be armed.

     The Senate bill has the unanimously accepted amendment by Sen.
Bob Smith (R-N.H.) calling for cockpit crews to be trained and
armed, if the pilots want it and their airlines approve.  So some similar
language will almost certainly be in the bill that eventually reaches
President Bush's desk.

     I think millions of security-minded, gun-owning passengers 
can convince the airlines to keep our business by allowing their 
pilots to be armed -- after all Federal Skymarshals will be on very few 
flights,
but every flight has a pilot.

     The big difference between the two bills concerns whether the
28,000 or so baggage and people screeners at larger airports would
all be Federal employees -- which the House narrowly rejected but
the Senate unanimously supported.  During the hot rhetoric over that
issue there were constant pleadings by both sides for quick improvements 
in airport screening -- which may take years.

     If the President and Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta (who
voted consistently against gun rights while he was a Democratic
Congressman) they could prevent all boxcutter skyjackings within a
week.  

     There is a huge cross-over of interest between airplanes and
guns; most people who fly also shoot, and many airline pilots have
been through private firearms training programs as well as the U.S.
military.

     The House and Senate support for armed pilots would not have
occurred if not for the hard work of airline pilots like Capt.
Steve Luckey, who chairs the ALPA National Security Committee;
Capt. Paul Valone, head of the Safer Skies Coalition
(www.RightsWatch.org) and  Grass Roots North Carolina; and many
other shooter/pilots.

     This battle is far from over, which is why I was pleased
yesterday to talk with another airline captain who has set up a web
page, Eric Mosley of www.armingpilots.com.

----------------------

     Because the nation is under lethal attack, and arming
commercial airline pilots will unquestionably help make it safer,
I've rethought my position on allowing law enforcement officers to
be able to carry off-duty out of state.  

     Since a vacationing cop's life and family are no more
important than mine or yours, I've declined to support bills such
as Rep. Randy Cunningham's H.R. 218 unless it again applies to
licensed "civilian" carriers (amended out of the bill on the floor
a couple of Congresses back).  

Also, the pressure of active and retired officers who want to carry 
out-of-state gives needed leverage to state reciprocity bills and 
Federal bills like Sen. Bob Smith's, Rep. John Hostettler's (R-Ind.) 
and Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.)

     But my personal interest must come second to the country's, so
"for the duration" I support H.R. 218 -- even though I know the
country would be made even safer by national reciprocity for
licensed carriers.  But cop-carry could quickly be passed, while
reciprocity for licensees won't happen any time soon (much less a
national Vermont-style Second Amendment law).

-------------------------------

     The NRA Board has been meeting this week, and will tomorrow
consider -- and probably pass -- a "statement of policy"
reaffirming the NRA staff's endorsement of Rep. Don Young's (R-
Alaska) Conservation and Restoration Act (CARA).

     A draft statement approved in joint executive session of the
Hunting and Wildlife, and Legislative Policy committees, notes the
controversy over the "land acquisition aspects" of the bill, and
says "The NRA will not support, as a general principle, increased
acquisitions of federal lands under CARA or any similar measure
where such acquisitions do not provide increased hunting and
shooting opportunities."

--------------------------------

     Gun Owners Action League held a firearms familiarization class
at the Massachusetts State House -- and some of the most dedicated
opponents of gun ownership showed up!

     The Boston Herald said the Sept. 11 attacks had created a new
attitude on guns and gun ownership.  "We're certainly all scared -
it's a natural instinct to try and do whatever you can to protect
yourself and your loved ones, especially in the face of unknown and
un-measurable threats," Rep. Jay Kaufman said, indicating that he
probably won't buy a gun but wouldn't rule out the possibility.

------------------------------

     Wednesday, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley used the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks to demand more prohibitive gun laws.  He has a
one-track mind; gun-banning is like a religion to him.

     Fortunately, as in Massachusetts, even devout anti-gunners are
rethinking their position.
-----------------------------

     The off-year elections in Virginia and New Jersey Tuesday
aren't looking good for gunowners.  Though neither gubernatorial
candidate -- Mark Earley and Brent Schundler, respectively -- is as
strong for gun rights as I would like, both are head and shoulders
over their Democrat opponents.

     Many of us had doubts about George W. Bush, too, but comparing
what he and Attorney General John Ashcroft have done for us, to what 
"moderate Democrat" Bill Clinton and his attorney general, Janet Reno 
did to us, I urge you to get to the polls Tuesday to vote for Earley 
and Schundler.

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