Aviation Security: Further Study of Safety and Effectiveness and Better Management Controls Needed If Air Carriers Resume Interest in Deploying Less-than-Lethal Weapons
GAO-06-475
Published: May 26, 2006. Publicly Released: Jun 13, 2006.
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Highlights
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has authority to approve air carrier requests to deploy less-than-lethal weapons, including electric stun devices, onboard commercial aircraft to thwart an attack. Since the terrorist attacks of 2001, one air carrier received approval to deploy electric stun devices. To address concerns regarding reports of injuries after the use of these devices and to ensure that the impacts of these devices onboard aircraft have been fully evaluated, this report answers the following: (1) What analyses has the federal government conducted to assess the safety and effectiveness of these devices onboard commercial aircraft? (2) What controls does TSA have in place to help ensure uniform and timely review of air carrier requests to deploy these devices onboard commercial aircraft?
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation Security Administration | In order to help ensure TSA's review and approval process for the use of any less-than-lethal weapons, including electric stun devices, is responsive, uniform, accountable, consistently applied and serves the public interest, the Secretary of Homeland Security should direct the Assistant Secretary, Transportation Security Administration, should commercial air carrier interest in deploying these devices resume, to ensure that there is sufficiently reliable research supporting the use of less-than-lethal devices being requested that, at a minimum, address the appropriateness of their usage in the unique aircraft environment, including passenger safety, how the use of these devices would enhance security, and the effects of these devices on the safe operation of the aircraft. |
Closed – Implemented
This recommendation is conditional on the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) receiving any applications from any airlines domestic or foreign requesting to implement a less than lethal weapons program on board its aircraft. According to TSA, over the last four years, they have been prepared to implement GAO's recommendations if necessary. However, TSA is not aware of any interest by any airline in implementing such a program. As a result, this recommendation is closed.
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| Transportation Security Administration | In order to help ensure TSA's review and approval process for the use of any less-than-lethal weapons, including electric stun devices, is responsive, uniform, accountable, consistently applied and serves the public interest, the Secretary of Homeland Security should direct the Assistant Secretary, Transportation Security Administration, should commercial air carrier interest in deploying these devices resume, to establish appropriate internal controls to govern air carriers' requests to deploy less-than-lethal weapons including electric stun devices on board their aircraft, including (1) clearly defining the organizational area or individual within TSA with the authority and responsibility for receiving and reviewing requests; (2) establishing a records system to help ensure accountability; and (3) formalizing and clearly communicating criteria for approving requests both within the responsible area of TSA and to interested air carriers. |
Closed – Implemented
This recommendation is conditional on the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) receiving any applications from any airlines domestic or foreign requesting to implement a less than lethal weapons program on board its aircraft. According to TSA, over the last four years, they have been prepared to implement GAO's recommendations if necessary. However, TSA is not aware of any interest by any airline in implementing such a program. As a result, this recommendation is closed.
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Topics
Aircraft safetyAirline securityAviation securityCommercial aviationHomeland securityInternal controlsSecurity policiesTransportation policiesTransportation safetyWeapons