[HiTech RedNeck]

Even if there were a permissive policy on passenger gun carrying on commercial aircraft, you couldn't necessarily count on a citizen having one there when needed. What's needed IMHO is to arm the pilots and beef up the cockpit doors.

[Dan De Quille]

A good idea. Just what is so strange about having at least one member of the cabin crew "riding shotgun"? The Libs would freak, of course, but who cares?

[wcbtinman]

"....you couldn't necessarily count on a citizen having one there when needed."

Like concealed carry, the idea is that the bad guys don't know that. While I prefer open carry, The hijackers could count on a good possibility that they would be summarily ventilated should they try anything.

They could also count on myself being armed every time I get on an airplane. I believe that there are enough people like me to put a stop to this kind of tragedy. And, unlike the sky marshall program, it won't cost the govt or the airlines a thing. If such services were needed, I wouldn't even send them a bill for the ammo.