'It's the most cost effective way of deterring another attack on our planes,' Paul said. Paul: We need guns in the cockpit

Sen. Rand Paul says he wants “100 percent” of pilots carrying weapons as it’s the best way to prevent another attack like Sept. 11, 2001.

“The goal of my bill is to have 100 percent of American pilots armed because I think it’s a very cost effective. It’s the most cost effective way of deterring another attack on our planes,” Paul said on Fox News’s “Hannity” on Wednesday night.


The Kentucky Republican says he supports recent calls to allow concealed weapons on military bases in the wake of the recent shooting at Fort Hood, but he is dealing with another concealed carry issue.

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“I’m concerned about what is the most cost-effective way of preventing another 9/11: I want all pilots to be armed,” Paul said. “The president has zeroed this out of his budget. He’s advocated for getting rid of the program. And when I talk to pilots — I’m at airports all the time. Pilots come up to me all the time and say it’s too hard to get a permit and to keep up the permit.”