How can you say the captain did the correct thing? He opened the cockpit door when there was a disturbance in the back of the plane. I'm sure they have defensive procedures but those are last resort measures. OK, fine, perhaps the copilot was armed and could shoot the first guy through the door before the second bad guy got him and the pilot and gained access to the flight controls. No, the captain wanted to exercise his "command perogative" and see for himself. In a real attack, that would make a fitting epitaph for the captain, "he wanted to see for himself" but a tragic one for the rest of the souls on board. That door needs to remain shut and locked. period. The gun is for final defense against the door being compromised by explosives or brute force.
Let us put the blame for the whole security problem where it belongs; squarely on Pakistan and Dubai. The British share in the security flaw. Bet you that international arrivals into Gatwick and Heathrow get re-screened now.
Here is my point- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and all other middle-eastern countries must be pressured to impose draconian search policies on THEIR passengers in order to be allowed the PRIVELEGE to connect through any western airport facility offering connecting service to the USA. Think of it as expanding the security perimeter to the initial source of the threat. The USA still, to this day, allows Saudi flights directly here. And we do NOT require them to screen to the same standards as the British.
Next time we get hit, and we will, it will be through a connecting situation just like this woman did. Her Paki handlers will kill her, no matter what she does or does not reveal. She thinks her lawyer is going to protect her. Heck, even the Boston Glob gave her son's name. The ex-hubby has been named as well. Her decisions have impacted the safety and well being of anyone related to her for two generations.