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United States · Bill · S

S. 2554 (107th)

Arming Pilots Against Terrorism and Cabin Defense Act of 2002

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

23 May 2002

Last action

23 May 2002 · Introduced

Status

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4842-4843)

Sponsors

Rep. Smith, Bob [R-NH-1], Sen. Miller, Zell [D-GA], Sen. Murkowski, Frank H. [R-AK], Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT], Rep. Bunning, Jim [R-KY-4], Sen. Thurmond, Strom [R-SC], Sen. Hutchinson, Tim [R-AR], Mike Crapo, Rep. Campbell, Ben Nighthorse [D-CO-3], Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY], Sen. Sessions, Jeff [R-AL], Rep. Thomas, Craig [R-WY-At Large], Sen. Helms, Jesse [R-NC], Rep. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA-6], Rep. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK-1], Rep. Johnson, Tim [D-SD-At Large], Sen. Nickles, Don [R-OK], Rep. Craig, Larry E. [R-ID-1], Sen. Santorum, Rick [R-PA], Sen. Lincoln, Blanche L. [D-AR], Rep. Baucus, Max [D-MT-1], Sen. Ensign, John [R-NV], Sen. Allen, George [R-VA], Sen. Warner, John [R-VA], Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA], Sen. Allard, Wayne [R-CO], Sen. Conrad, Kent [D-ND], Susan Collins

Subjects

Defence, Transport, Aviation

Source updated

19 August 2025

Defence · Transport · Aviation

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Summary

Arming Pilots Against Terrorism and Cabin Defense Act of 2002 - Amends federal law to direct the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to establish a program to: (1) deputize volunteer qualified pilots of commercial cargo or passenger aircraft as Federal flight deck officers; and (2) provide training, supervision, and equipment for such officers. Authorizes flight deck officers to carry firearms and to use force, including lethal force, when they judge the security of an aircraft is at risk. Shields air carriers from liability for damages in Federal or State court arising out of the actions or omissions of a flight deck officer defending a plane from criminal violence or air piracy. Shields flight deck officers from liability except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. Directs the Under Secretary to prescribe requirements for an air carrier cabin crew training program and its instructors. Shields an air carrier liability for actions or omissions of training instructors or cabin crew in defending an aircraft. Shields training instructors and cabin crew from liability except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. Directs the Under Secretary to form an Aviation Crew Self-Defense Division within the Transportation Security Administration to develop and implement the program for training cabin crew members. Directs the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security to study and report to Congress on whether possession of a nonlethal weapon by a member of an air carrier's cabin crew would aid the flight deck crew in combating air piracy and criminal violence on commercial airlines.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 23 May 2002

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4842-4843)

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 23 May 2002

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4841-4842)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 23 May 2002

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in Senate (text)

View fileDownload file

Sponsors

Related records

Sources

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