House, Senate to Consider Bills That Would Arm Cargo Pilots

img src="/sites/default/files/images/articles/printeditiontag_new.gif" width=120 align=right>Lawmakers have introduced legislation in the House and Senate that would allow cargo airline pilots to carry guns.

Groups representing pilots said they favored the concept, while officials at leading cargo carriers said they did not want pilots to carry weapons.

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) told Transport Topics the legislation that he sponsored on March 4 — the Arming Cargo Pilots Against Terrorism Act — would allow pilots to stop a terrorist who might be on board the aircraft, in a cargo container or approaching the cockpit.