Is It Time for a New "Concealed Carry" Category.........for Air Travel?

self | 09/11/01 | RightOnline

[RightOnline]

In light of today's horrific events, wherein a group of highly-trained, highly-motivated terrorists apparently armed with knives and/or box cutters hijacked no fewer than four civilian airliners, I'd like to offer a proposal for your consideration.

Is it time, in light of the state of our world today, for a new category of "concealed carry" licensing? Let's call it, for lack of better phraseology for the time being, CCW-ATQ (ATQ = "Air Travel Qualified").

What I envision is a category of armed citizens who are a subset of those with "CCW" licenses. They would undergo much additional training, akin to the training given to the "Air Marshals" whom we've all read about. They would undergo background checks, etc., much like individuals seeking higher security clearances.

Once certified, a citizen possessing a CCW-ATQ license would be approved to carry a weapon aboard a civilian airliner. The aircraft crew would be notified whether or not they had any CCW-ATQ certified passengers, but would NOT be given names or seating assignments (terrorists would know if such was provided to aircrews, thereby making such passengers easy targets..........nullifying much of their effectiveness).

I don't offer this suggestion lightly or flippantly, but as a proposal for protection of air travellers in American airspace. I cannot help but think that if such was allowed today, the hijackings just might not have been so successful.

[RightOnline]

For those so inclined to say it, let me head it off. Can a bullet do damage to a pressurized aircraft at altitude? Yes. Is it like in the movies? No. Hence the clear mention above of "training". You wouldn't want just any yahoo wielding a .45 at FL350, I'll tell you. However, this is one (former) pilot who'd feel a lot better knowing that there were a half-dozen or so good Americans in the passenger area watching my back.

[RightOnline]

Thoughts? Opinions?

[diggerwillow]

I have no problem with pilots carrying.

[RightOnline]

Me neither...........so let's arm them as well.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Pilots and air marshals only, and maybe flight crew if, and only if, seriously trained. Private people are good people, but one bullet through the aircraft could be serious and dangerous. Many Negligent Discharges do happen, and I would not want one while in the air.

[an amused spectator]

I'll second or third the motion.

[JPR_Boise_ID]

You've made a thoughtful post ... the "ATQ" designation you describe is workable, in my opinion.

So many previous posters on other threads have castigated the so-called "sheeple" passengers on the planes for their lack of action, boasting that they would have really "kicked some ass" or other such non-sense if they were there ... you've presented a very effective solution and I thank you.

[RightOnline]

I understand, but again..........how often do possessors of CCW licenses participate in "inadvertent firearms discharges"? Can't swear to it, but I'd guess "damned few". The keys are training.......and the character of the individual entrusted with such a license.

[fso301]

Add one requirement; prior to boarding, bullets must be dipped in pork grease.

[xclusiv1]

BUSSE STEALTH HAWK The Stealth Hawk from Busse Combat Knives is a unique professional knife developed for police, military, and SCUBA applications where detectability, magnetism, conductivity, or spark generation might prove detrimental to the mission. It weighs only 3 ounces, and is invisible to metal detectors. The material utilized in this blade is MP45. Nothing comes close to the strength and durability of this high-tech laminate. Combining this futuristic material with age-old swordmaking skills, the result is a synthetic “Damascus steel”. Each Stealth Hawk knife is hand ground and hand-made; no injection molding here. Solid one-piece full tang construction. The handle is wrapped with paracord. The blade is 75% large serrations for impressive cutting power. The tip of the blade is shaped like a bullet; this tip geometry provides superior penetration when striking hard objects with less tip damage than traditionally shaped points. This knife can be pounded through steel drums, car doors, wood planks, etc. without damage. The cutting edges can be brought back with sand paper. Blade length: 41/2". Overall length: 9 1/2". Blade thickness: 1/4". Weight: 3 oz. Very limited quantity left—no more will be available once these are gone! A special Kydex quick-draw sheath for the Stealth Hawk is also available.

could be this is what they used?

[RightOnline]

Also........ (not to appear as if I'm "picking" on you :) )...........the underlying concept here is "deterrence". IOW, my theory is that such a policy could help ensure that no weapon would ever have to be pulled inflight.

Attempt a hijack, you might be faced with ten or twelve handguns pointing at your skull. Pretty damned effective deterrent, I'd think. Same reason the average robber would avoid robbing a "cop bar".

[the808bass]

I don't offer this suggestion lightly or flippantly, but as a proposal for protection of air travellers in American airspace. I cannot help but think that if such was allowed today, the hijackings just might not have been so successful.

Logistically and financially, is a security officer of some sort on every flight (perhaps with other duties as well) out of reason? There've been many other situations which could have used something. I'm thinking of the several recent passengers who've had to be violently restrained once the plane was in the air. And of course, today, we're talking hijacking.

[RightOnline]

Thank you.

[CurlyBill]

This is absolutely not a problem for me. If every single person on those planes was armed, this would have never happened. I know about decompression, and some of the other dangers, but who would hijack a plane when everyone is armed?

[TEXASPROUD]

.44 Special with a 200 grain gold dot hollow point would be ideal for cabin use.

[RightOnline]

NOW you're talkin'. Seriously. LOTS of stopping power, but not much "penetration" power. Very good. Would it be prudent, again, in all seriousness, to mandate such loads for those exercising their CCW-ATQ right?

[havoc1us]

Any yahoo would have been able to prevent the planes from being hi-jacked. I think the airlines would be wise to provide their own armed security on-board. Fighter Jets on standby to stop a big bird gone astray could be a back-up. BOX CUTTERS??? That's ALL it took??? That's so wrong.

[Mulder]

I'm all for it.

It would be a much greater deterrent than the rude counter clerk who asks if your bags have been with you the entire time.

[Alberta's Child]

I think a more practical idea would be to have the flight crew separated from the rest of the aircraft by an interior wall so that it is impossible to pass between the two areas.

Years ago someone suggested that this could also be done in conjunction with a ventilation system that floods the passenger cabin with some kind of non-lethal gas to incapacitate all passengers in the event there is a problem.

[TC Rider]

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