[Texaggie79]

Better to have a few die than all die in the plane + possibly others (like today).

Easy to say now. But before, how are you to know what the terrorist has in mind? Should you just shoot through the passengers to get to them without a clue as to what the intentions of the armed man is?

[rb22982]

It's a fact, that would be assailents are much less likely to commit a crime if they think their victim will be armed.

Hence, the 2nd amendment. In the air, no diff than on the ground. One of the reasons they do highjack planes is because they know there will be no defense once they can sneak on the plane.