[PapaBear3625]

"The pilot has to take his gun off and lock it up before he leaves the cockpit, so he was trying to secure the gun in preparation for landing, while he was trying to fly the airplane, too," said David Mackett, president of the Airline Pilots Security Alliance.

Pilot error. The pilot has no business "leaving the cockpit" while he's trying to fly the plane

The correct sequence is (1) land the plane, (2) when the plane has taxied and come to a complete stop, secure the firearm, (3) exit the cockpit

[decimon]

when the plane has taxied and come to a complete stop, secure the firearm

That sounds right. Unless there are yet more rules preventing it.

The idea of a pilot stowing a handgun while handling a landing is not at all comforting.

[3niner]

Pilot error. The pilot has no business "leaving the cockpit" while he's trying to fly the plane

Yeah, he should just "hold it" for another five hours, if he needs to pee.