House panel okays guns in cockpits

WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers moved closer to a confrontation with the Bush administration over guns in cockpits as a House panel endorsed legislation that could arm more than 1,000 pilots in the next two years.

The House Transportation Committee's aviation subcommittee vote Wednesday runs counter to the administration's decision last month not to allow the arming of pilots. Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate.

Bipartisan groups of lawmakers in both houses are trying to overturn the decision of Transportation Security Administration head John Magaw to keep guns out of the cockpit. They are supported by the pilots' unions and the powerful National Rifle Association, a Bush ally.

Though the bill has a long way to go before it reaches Bush's desk, the panel's overwhelming voice-vote support illustrates how popular the idea appears to be on Capitol Hill despite the administration's opposition.

"It's a difference in policy between the bureaucrats and the elected officials," said subcommittee chairman John Mica, R-Fla. "I think we're closer to the people."

Republican and Democratic lawmakers on the aviation subcommittee worked out a compromise that would set up a two-year test program. During that period, up to 1,400 pilots -- 2 percent of the work force -- could volunteer to undergo training and get permission to carry guns on board a plane they are piloting. Priority would be given to pilots with military or law enforcement backgrounds. Flight attendants would get self-defense training.

After two years, the Transportation Security Administration would decide whether to end the program, continue it or expand it.

"Nothing else can provide the deterrence or effectiveness of a weapon wielded by a highly trained individual," Mica said.

Airline pilots have been pushing for the right to carry guns, and Air Line Pilots Association president Duane Woerth praised the House panel's action Wednesday.

"We give this bipartisan compromise our full support, and we thank all the legislators involved for allowing this issue to go forward," Woerth said.

The bill is to come before the full House Transportation Committee on Wednesday.

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