WHEREAS, the United States Congress is currently considering legislation that would authorize airline pilots to carry firearms on board commercial flights; and,

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) has a long-standing commitment to the safe and proper use of firearms; and,

WHEREAS, an essential component of the safe and proper use of firearms is training in areas such as marksmanship, behavior while armed and safe storage procedures; and,

WHEREAS, a central question that often confronts law enforcement officers is when is the use of a firearm appropriate in the performance of their duties. As a result, officers receive intensive training on when deadly force should be applied and when it should not; and,

WHEREAS, law enforcement officers also receive training on how to protect themselves and their weapons during a confrontation. Defensive tactics are stressed during law enforcement officers’ training, not only to protect their safety, but also because it is vitally important to ensure that a weapon intended to protect the public does not become an instrumentality of crime and violence; and,

WHEREAS, the IACP is very concerned that the legislation currently under consideration by the United States Congress does not address these crucial training issues or serious concerns related to appropriate weapon type, use of force strategies, and issues related to transportation and storage of weapons; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police is opposed to any legislation that would authorize pilots to carry firearms aboard a commercial flight until such time that legislation clearly satisfies the issues set forth in this resolution.