US airline pilots to carry guns in trial

The Bush administration is planning to run a trial to find out whether arming commercial pilots would be practical.

The scheme is based on proposals that were circulated in Congress this summer and would amount to a U-turn by the White House.

The Transportation undersecretary, John Magaw, said earlier this year that he would not allow pilots to carry guns. He explained that newly installed reinforced cockpits and armed air marshals provided enough protection against any terrorists who might try to take over an airliner. Mr Magaw said: "The responsibility of the pilot is to control the aircraft."

But the House of Representatives voted 310-113 in July to allow commercial pilots to carry guns, which led the Bush team to re-examine the issue.