L.A. Airport Police Advocate Authorizing All Law Enforcement Officers to Carry Firearms Aboard Domestic Flights

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Marshall McClain
(310) 242-5218
(818) 515-1015
L.A. airport police advocate authorizing all law enforcement officers to carry firearms aboard domestic flights

LOS ANGELES - February 8, 2010 –
The nation's largest airport police association today advocated authorizing all law enforcement officers to carry firearms aboard domestic airline flights. Marshall McClain, president of the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association (LAAPOA), said the program proposed to the Obama Administration by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) is warranted in light of the recent attempt to detonate an explosive device aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 on Christmas Day and recent intelligence that Al-Qaeda is likely to attempt a terrorist attack in the U.S. within the next six months.

"We believe that additional armed, trained law enforcement personnel aboard aircraft is a prudent measure to be taken at this time," said McClain. "We join FLEOA in urging President Obama to issue an Executive Order to authorize all law enforcement officers, active and retired, and certified by the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA), to carry firearms aboard domestic flights as an added line of defense against terrorists."

The LEOSA of 2004 authorizes all law enforcement officers, active and retired, to carry firearms anywhere in the country, at any time, as long as they meet the criteria set forth in the act and qualify with their firearm on an annual basis. But they are only allowed to carry them aboard commercial airlines when traveling on official business and authorized by their department. The FLEOA maintains that all law enforcement officers who are LEOSA certified, and possess an annual medical clearance, are valuable assets that should be used to augment domestic flight coverage provided by federal air marshals.

FLEOA asked the President to direct the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security Administration to comply with an Executive Order authorizing LEOSA-certified law enforcement officers to fly armed. FLEOA believes that the Federal Air Marshal Service has the ability to coordinate this effort and this action is necessary at this time as an additional layer of security to safeguard the flying public.


About the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association:
The Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association represents more than 425 sworn police officers and firefighters of the Los Angeles Airport Police Department assigned to protect and serve Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY). Its Mission is to maintain a leadership role in organizing, empowering and representing the interests of all current and retired members.

NOTE: This story was first reported on KFI AM640 by Steven Gregory who provided me with the link to this press release. After reading it, I can't help but wonder why any citizen couldn't carry a firearm on board a domestic flight if they have received proper firearm training. Why restrict it only to law enforcement? If an officer wants to know how it feels to be a typical California citizen, just leave your gun at home.