On Monday, President Bush (R) signed into law the Homeland Security of Act of 2002, marking the most extensive federal re-organization since the creation of the Defense Department in 1947. Office of Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge was named the new secretary-designate of the new Department of Homeland Security. This historic event helped establish one of NRA’s top priorities for the year—as language that would allow qualified commercial pilots to have access to firearms as a last line of defense against terrorist hijackers was included. Under the new law, training is set to begin by the end of February 2003 through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The TSA will train pilots as "federal flight deck officers," which will include training equivalent to federal agents. The new law will also provide the approved pilots with the power to make arrests. Our thanks go out to all of our members who contacted their lawmakers and urged them to ensure the legislation that established the new Homeland Security Department included language that would establish an armed pilots program.
Bush Signs Homeland Security Bill — Includes Armed Pilots Program
Monday, December 2, 2002
Friday, July 17, 2026
In a landmark victory for the Second Amendment and the National Rifle Association, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit today held that New Jersey’s bans on commonly owned semiautomatic rifles and magazines ...
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
On July 15, Governor Kelly Ayotte signed two pro-gun bills into law.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Since the U.S. Congress enacted the Firearm Owners’ Protection Act of 1986, an American has enjoyed the right to travel with firearms “from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to ...
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
On June 25, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Wolford v. Lopez. The case involved a Hawaii law that presumptively banned carry permit holders from carrying their arms onto publicly accessible private property, unless the carrier ...
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity has been a popular topic lately. President Donald Trump brought it up during an appearance at a Mack Trucks facility in Macungie, Pa., on June 23, proclaiming, “National Right-to-Carry, we’re working on it.”
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