Poll: Guns In Cockpit Supported by Overwhelming Majority; Most Americans View Post-9/11 Security Changes as 'Window Dressing'

5/14/2002

From: Chris Ingram of Wilson Research Strategies, 703-744-7990; http://www.w-r-s.com

WASHINGTON, May 14 -- A recent nationwide poll by Wilson Research Strategies (http://www.w-r-s.com) shows nearly seven in ten (68 percent) Americans believe airline pilots should be allowed to carry guns in the cockpit while just one in four (26 percent) oppose such a measure.

One thousand registered voters were asked whether they support or oppose allowing pilots to carry guns in the cockpit after they were read the following statement:

"Twenty thousand U.S. airline pilots recently signed a petition and sent it to Congressional lawmakers requesting that they be allowed to carry guns in the cockpit to protect themselves and passengers from hijackers. Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose allowing pilots to carry guns in the cockpit?"

"With nearly seven out of ten supporting such a proposal, the American public clearly believes airline pilots should be armed in order to help deter and prevent future hijackings," said Chris Ingram, principal of Wilson Research Strategies.

The intensity of support for permitting pilots to carry guns was also significant, with nearly half of those surveyed indicating they "strongly support" guns in the cockpit. Along gender lines, women are nearly as likely as men to support allowing guns in the cockpit as a defensive measure, 66 percent to 70 percent respectively.

"The message is clear, Americans would rather have an armed pilot who would at least have a chance to fight back than to see another hijacking with tragic results as seen on September eleventh," Ingram added.

On a related issue, WRS also asked, "Do you think the changes in airport security since September 11th have made a significant improvement in airport security, or do you think most of the changes are primarily window dressing more intended to make people feel like security is tighter versus actually making airports more secure?"

A majority (54 percent) believe most of the changes are "window dressing" while just over a third (37 percent) believe the post-September 11 changes have been a "significant improvement." Interestingly, the only sub-groups with a majority believing the changes have been a "significant improvement" are among males over age 50 and self-identified male Democrats. For all other sub-groups, the majority believe the changes are "window dressing."

"While there is some disagreement about the significance of these changes, Congress and the government agencies in charge of airport security need to realize the public does not approve of or appreciate changes that just look and feel good. Certainly the airlines are also concerned about the public's perceptions with regard to security measures and are concerned that passengers view some of these changes as useless and unnecessary," Ingram added.

------ The nationwide survey of 1000 registered voters was conducted May 5-8, 2002. The margin of error for this survey is 3.2 percent. For a complete set of cross-tabulations for this survey question, for further analysis, or to schedule an interview, contact Chris Ingram, principal, WRS (http://www.w-r-s.com) at 703-744-7990 or 703-534-2321 after-hours and weekends.