More on the Airplane Discharge
Background here, here, and here.
The Airline Pilots Security Alliance has issues a statement (confirming what I said all along) that TSA policy is to blame:
Airline pilots and federal flight deck officers (FFDO) say ill-conceived TSA weapons handling rules were to blame for the accidental discharge of a pilot’s firearm in the cockpit of a US Airways jet last weekend.
Federal officers familiar with the investigation say they repeatedly warned TSA officials that an unprecedented TSA requirement that pilots take off and lock up their guns before leaving the cockpit is manifestly unsafe and would result in accidents.
“The pilot was trying to lock his gun and remove the holster in an airplane going 300 miles per hour in preparation for landing and the padlock depressed the trigger,” said a federal flight deck officer who declined to be identified. “TSA knew this could happen but didn’t get rid of the requirement.” . . . .
TSA policy requires unnecessary handling of the weapon which will of course increase the likelihood of an accidental or negligent discharge. Can the TSA get anything right? Brent questions TSA’s motives.
Via John Lott.
Update: Michael Bane has more.
