Rand Paul pushes amendment to arm airline pilots

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) took to social media Wednesday to push his amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act, introduced last week, that would arm airline pilots in order to protect planes from being hijacked. 

I introduced an amendment that would arm airline pilots so they can defend passengers from attack. Call your senators now and urge support!

— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 13, 2016

S.Amdt.3518, improves and expands access to the FFDO program by: Adding an additional 5 training facilities throughout the United States.

— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 13, 2016

Retaining the training requirements, but allows for three days of classroom work to be completed online.

— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 13, 2016

Improving the carriage requirements and allows the FFDO to make reasonable efforts to keep their firearm concealed when in public.

— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 13, 2016

Allowing FFDOs to utilize the Known Crewmember Check system when reporting for flights.

— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 13, 2016

Call your senators now and tell them you support expanding access to the FFDO program!

— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 13, 2016

{mosads}The Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program provides firearms training to certain flight crew members in order to defend against potential hijackings.

“The Federal Flight Deck Officer Program is an important element in our continued efforts to ensure the safety of airline passengers, and my amendment will make it possible for more pilots to get trained and protect flyers,” Paul said in a statement last week.

“Pilots regularly tell me they’ve experienced problems with the availability of training under the current program; my amendment addresses those concerns and ensures that participants in the program have the critical training they need.”

The Kentucky senator introduced the amendment as a standalone bill last year, but it never received a vote.

A vote has not yet been scheduled for the FAA’s reauthorization, though Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), who is managing the bill on the Senate floor, said on Wednesday that he hopes to finish it by the end of the week.