This story is based on two sources–a Power Line article from yesterday and an article at News10 in Sacramento, California.

An airline pilot who was concerned about airport security posted videos on YouTube showing lapses in security at San Francisco International Airport.  Parts of the video he posted can be seen at the Power Line article linked above. 

The News10 article reports:

“Three days after he posted a series of six video clips recorded with a cell phone camera at San Francisco International Airport, four federal air marshals and two sheriff’s deputies arrived at his house to confiscate his federally-issued firearm. The pilot recorded that event as well and provided all the video to News10.

“At the same time as the federal marshals took the pilot’s gun, a deputy sheriff asked him to surrender his state-issued permit to carry a concealed weapon.

“A follow-up letter from the sheriff’s department said the CCW permit would be reevaluated following the outcome of the federal investigation.”

The News10 describes some of the experience and qualifications of the pilot:

“He has worked for the airline for more than a decade and was deputized by the TSA to carry a gun in the cockpit.

“He is also a helicopter test pilot in the Army Reserve and flew missions for the United Nations in Macedonia.”

This sounds like a stable, contributing member of society who does not deserve to be hassled by the government.

The video at Power Line also reports that the pilot’s County Sheriff has also revoked his concealed carry weapons permit.

It seems to me that during the Bush Administration whistle blowers were considered a good thing.  At any rate, this seems a bit heavy-handed and I hope the new Congress will take a look into the matter in January.  The video at Power LIne also points out that the airline the pilot works for has asked him to remove the videos from YouTube, but he is not being disciplined by the airline in any way.  The government is also reviewing the pilot’s status as a Federal Deputy.  That is a voluntary position, and the pilot could continue to fly without being a Federal Deputy.