HOUSE OKS BILL ON GUARD DRUG MISSIONS

Arizona National Guard aircraft tracking drug traffickers would be able to
follow smugglers' planes into other states under a bill on its way to Gov.
Jane Hull.

The House had rejected the bill (SB1003) on April 3 but reconsidered today,
passing it 33-25.

Critics had said the bill would have the National Guard usurping a local
law enforcement duty. But Rep. Deb Gullett, R-Phoenix, said the bill would
mean only that Guard aircraft could follow airborne smugglers across a
state line.

"They don't carry guns. They don't go on drug raids and they don't supplant
law enforcement," Gullett said.