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To all the Quite Professionals I apologize if I have seemed to challenge and disrespect NDD, it was not my intention to do so. I am a guest in this house and feel fortunate to be so.
I have been familiar with the armed pilot program since its inception. While every military or law enforcement organization has a certain percentage of folks who are less capable I believe those commercial pilots who serve as sworn federal officers are very capable to function competently within the scope of the flight deck and SOP’s. Of the thousands who currently serve the great majority are former military pilots who are very familiar with combat mindset and have no hesitation to accomplish their mission in defense of the cockpit. The armed pilot program mission statement is very focused on a specific operating environment under very specific ROE. There is no other source of manpower that can provide the capability to defend the flight deck as the armed pilot program currently does. Those on duty armed pilots serve the requirements of Homeland Security, not the immediate safety of the passengers.
With respect to the subject matter of arming qualified teachers, I fully support such a program. I think one day our country might very well be faced with the necessity to mimic some of the programs which arm citizens much as the Israelis do now. I am quite sure their schools are much safer from active shooter scenarios than ours. Criminals who pray on our school children are terrorists be they domestic or foreign and not worthy of the air they breathe. I don’t want my child hog tied and tortured before he is murdered because there was no chance of an immediate armed response to an active shooter. Train those who volunteer and qualify to a standard which meets or exceeds law enforcement agencies and let them carry.
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