The US Senate has overwhelmingly backed a measure that would arm airline pilots on a voluntary basis.
Gun-control advocates from the Democratic Party joined conservative Republicans in passing the measure 87 to 6, leading supporters to declare they could overcome the remaining hurdles to making the plan law.
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A similar bill has already passed the House of Representatives by a wide margin, and although the Bush administration does not like the idea it said yesterday it would implement such a plan if Congress passes one.
"This is a package that will make our skies safer," declared Senator Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill along with Sen. Bob Smith, a New Hampshire Republican.
Allowing qualified pilots to carry guns in the cockpit would give them the "means to mount an effective last-ditch effort against terrorism and hijackers," she said.
"Those who want them and can use them and understand them should have the right to carry weapons," Montana Republican Senator Conrad Burns, another co-sponsor, said. "I never got a lot done using a broomstick. You've got to have something that's lethal".