08/12/2002 16:41 FAX

~002
320 SOuTH FIRST STREET. SUITE 101
ABERDEEN. SO 57402
(605)226-8823

THOMAS DASCHLE
SOUTH OAKOTA
COMMlmES:

AGRICULTURE
RNANCE
RULES AND ADMINISTRATION

tinitrd ~tatrs

~rnetr

WASHINGTON, DC 20510-4103

(2021224-2321

TOLL FREE 1-80C-"l24-9094

1313 WUiT MAIN ST"eET
RAPID CITY. SO 57702
(&05)348-7551
320 NORTH MAIN AVENUE. SUITE B

SIOU)( FAU.5. SO 57101
(605)334-9596
TOO (605) 334-4632

http~/d.s<ohl•.••nat••gov

August 12, 2002

The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta
Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Dear Mr. Secretary:
As we approach the anniversary of September 11 th, there will be increasing public focus on the
adequacy of steps taken since then to improve aviation security. In addition, the Senate may soon
debate whether to authorize commercial pilots to carry a firearm. These discussions and deliberations
would be more meaningful if we had a decision from the Department of Transportation on United
Airlines' pending request to outfit all its cockpits with Tasers, a non-lethal device that uses an electric
charge to immobilize attackers.
As Secretary of Transportation, you were given the power to authorize the use of non-lethal weaponry
by flight deck crews in Section 126 of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act. In December
2001, United Airlines formally requested that you approve the use of Advanced Tasers by its pilots.
Since then, United has purchased 1,300 of these devices and trained its 8,300 pilots in their use. It has
also completed extensive engineering studies and in-flight tests to confirm that these devices would have
no adverse affect on the operation of cockpit instruments or controls. I am also told that recently three
international carriers have begun deploying these devices on their· flights outside the United States.
Although I am not endorsing any particular technology and have no opinion on the merits of the United
application, flight-deck security is a matter of some urgency, and it concerns me that eight months have
elapsed without a final decision on United's application. In fact, United's proposal raises a question of
great significance to the ongoing debate over firearms in the cockpit: How effective would electric-stun
devices be in enhancing flight-deck security? Your prompt reply to this question, as well as a decision
on the United application, would improve our deliberations in Congress and help to address continuing
concerns about aviation safety.
Sincerely,

TAD/cah
AUG 12 '02 17:19

PRINTED ON ReCYCLED PAI'efl

PAGE. 02