From: belmonte@MIT.EDU (Matthew Belmonte)
To: CapuanoHR8@aol.com
Subject: support HR 4635
Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 08:11:06 +0100

Dear Representative Capuano

I'm disappointed to see that you yesterday voted against HR 4635, the
Arming Pilots Against Terrorism Act.  Airline pilots have asked for the
authority to carry arms, and there is no good reason not to give it to
them.  Especially with the availability of proper training and the use
of pre-fragmented ammunition, the availability of weapons in the cockpit
can be an important component of aircraft defence.  *Removing* all weapons
from aircraft is not a practical solution, since if even one weapon gets
past, the strategy fails.  *Providing* weapons and training to trusted
persons aboard the aircraft is a much more robust strategy.

I'm glad that this bill passed despite your vote, and I hope that in the
future you'll join other Democrats in recognising the practicality of this
course of action.

Matthew Belmonte