Faulty rules blamed for gun's firing [US Airways ND]

[fultonCoShooter]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/...plate=printart

Faulty rules blamed for gun's firing

March 28, 2008

By Audrey Hudson

Inadequate handgun rules designed by Department of Homeland Security officials are to blame for last weekend's accidental discharge of a pistol by a commercial pilot during landing preparations, a pilots association said yesterday.

"The pilot has to take his gun off and lock it up before he leaves the cockpit, so he was trying to secure the gun in preparation for landing, while he was trying to fly the airplane, too," said David Mackett, president of the Airline Pilots Security Alliance. "In the process of doing that, the padlock that is required to be inserted into the holster pulled the trigger and caused the gun to discharge."

The unnamed US Airways pilot, who was landing at Charlotte/Douglas (N.C.) International Airport, has been placed on leave by the airline since the incident.

This was the first report of a pilot's gun being discharged on a plane.

APSA, an organization of pilots who lobby Congress on aviation security issues, said the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has refused to adopt standard carriage rules recommended last year by the Federal Air Marshal Service.

"We complained to DHS two years ago that this was an unsafe rule," Mr. Mackett said.

Rather than carry the weapon on their person at all times, pilots must lock it up before opening the cockpit door, meaning pilots handle the gun as many as 10 times per flight, the association estimates.

Pilots who have completed training to become federal flight deck officers (FFDOs) and carry weapons must use a holster used primarily as a home child-safety lock. A padlock is inserted through the holster and trigger guard, but, if inserted backward, it can trigger the gun, pilots say.

"It's a completely unsafe system unless it's used in a static environment — in a bedroom with good light. But to try to balance a gun on your lap and padlock it while flying an airplane 300 miles an hour, sometimes in the dark, is not secure," Mr. Mackett said.

Gregory S. Alter, Federal Air Marshal Service spokesman, said federal law prohibits carriage outside of the flight deck.

"The methods used by FFDOs to secure, transport and store their duty weapon are fully consistent with long-standing law-enforcement practices widely in use with many law-enforcement organizations," Mr. Alter said. "Once the weapon-discharge investigation is complete, any lessons learned will be implemented."

The Associated Press obtained photos of the damage to the exterior of the plane that showed a small exit hole below the cockpit window.

None of the 124 passengers aboard Flight 1536 from Denver on Saturday were injured. Airline officials said the Airbus A319 was removed from service after the incident and returned to flight status Wednesday.

[awkx]

"We complained to DHS two years ago that this was an unsafe rule," Mr. Mackett said.

Rather than carry the weapon on their person at all times, pilots must lock it up before opening the cockpit door, meaning pilots handle the gun as many as 10 times per flight, the association estimates.

I must agree that this is unsafe rule. Pilots should be allowed to carry their firearm on their person for the whole flight. Requiring pilots to fiddle with their firearm in flight is frighteningly unsafe.

[DemonOfTheFall]

I must agree that this is unsafe rule. Pilots should be allowed to carry their firearm on their person for the whole flight. Requiring pilots to fiddle with their firearm in flight is frighteningly unsafe.

haha if we're worried about people using cell phones while driving, it would seem to follow that handing a firearm while flying a 747 would be worse.

[MOUNTAINORACLE]

I must agree that this is unsafe rule. Pilots should be allowed to carry their firearm on their person for the whole flight. Requiring pilots to fiddle with their firearm in flight is frighteningly unsafe.

I agree it's an unsafe rule---but IMHO arming the pilots/and disarming qualified passenger is also unsafe also.

oracle

[Lougotzz]

This country is its own worse enemy!!!!!!!!!

[knighthawk06699]

haha if we're worried about people using cell phones while driving, it would seem to follow that handing a firearm while flying a 747 would be worse.

A reasonable person would think so huh?

[SteveXD]

those bolsters are designed for unloaded gun. I don't understand why the would use them.

[Yellowfin]

Another case of rules being written by people who are not firearms oriented. Why is it that people who know little or nothing about guns and spend no time with them themselves and/or own any of their own magically seem to always be the people who write policy? Is the board of meat inspectors all vegans?

[LittleRedToyota]

wait...lemme get this straight...

their policy is to make pilots routinely stick something (the padlock) in the trigger guard of a loaded gun?

i can't believe there weren't any ADs before this one.

i have to admit that, between this and the philly AWB, on this the 29th day of the month of march of the year 2008, i have come to realize that the stupidity of our so-called "leaders" is even more mindboggling than i ever thought possible.

[Montanya]

I would imagine the reason that is done is so the pilot going to the poassenger compartment does not take a loaded firearm in to the passenger area where someone could disarm them and then have a loaded gun to hijack the plane. ALthough IMO they need a better system for it than that.