THE PASSENGERS WERE ALL DISARMED / WHILE NORMAN LEARED

The Libertarian Enterprise ^ | September 17, 2001 | Vin Suprynowicz / L. Neil Smith

[LiberalBuster]

Yes, but if a police state saves even one life, it will have been worth it. </sarcasm>

[undergroundwarrior]

Wish there were a few "Rambo" types on those planes.

The 2nd Ammendment will keep the 1st Ammendment alive.

[Straight Vermonter]

Victim disarmament

I love it! We should all use that term instead of gun control!

[Alberta's Child]

The last thing I want to do is ride in a plane at 35,000 feet with every yahoo who thinks he knows how to handle a weapon.

I understand your concern, but I really don't give a sh!t about anyone else. I refuse to fly on any airline that does not allow me to carry my own firearm. If that means I don't fly anymore, then so be it. No way in hell am I going to depend on ANYONE to provide "security" for me.

[Cultural Jihad]

Another shameless article by the America-hating ideologues.

[Long Cut]

Do you realize that civilian gun owners normally shoot better than cops, and are far more knowlegeable about "airplane safe" ammunition? (Hint: we shoot far more often, on average.)

[gjenkins]

The only way to beat evil is to stand up to it and show it that by its own definition it can't win. Running and appeasement never work.

[PuNcH]

The air Marshall program was another matter, and perhaps we should not have discontinued it.

perhaps? There is nothing stopping hijackers from taking out a plane if there is not an armed guard at the very least on each plane. The pilots should also be armed because if you cant trust them you are screwed anyway.

[B4Ranch]

There is NOTHING in the FAA rules that say the flight crew, ie. Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator CANNOT HAVE FIREARMS IN THE COCKPIT! If the airlines had issued Pilots handguns nmone of this would happen.

[Slyfox]

I don't think there would be anything wrong with having at least two or three people on board every flight who's main job is to "ride shotgun", including the co-pilot.

[Long Cut]

Or JUST LET THEM CARRY THEIR OWN. I once took a class in aviation law many years ago, and learned that if a US aircraft is carrying US mail (which is almost all of them) the pilots are automatically authorised to be armed. For myself, I would simply consider placing some sports equipment in my flight bag, and screw "company policy".

[rollin]

And you have not considered the alternative very well? Being disarmed when the plane was hijacked.

I guess you would have liked to be herded into the back of the airplane with the others and calmly accept your fate.

American citizens of my era don't agree with your assessment of the situation. We, not the government, are responsible for our own safety.

[Critter]

Another communist comment from a freedom hating swine.

[Twodees]

Of course, the Air Marshalls are governnment agents, aren't they? Only agents of the government need firearms, right? One may not be enough. It would be comforting to you know, as you sat in your seat in a 767 hurtling toward a building that at least nobody crashed the plane with a .38 fired inside the cabin.

[maxwell]

"ride shot-gun"

I agree. This is one of the more sensible ideas I've heard yet. Deterrance by real-time threat of bodily harm-- usually most effective, I understand... And I think the idea of banning all pocket knives, etc. is ludicrous-- the classic case of throwing the friggin' baby out with the bathwater... Demagogues oughta have their heads dunked in the trough out back once in a while...

But- but- GUNS on a PLANE! What about the CHILDRENNNNNNN?!

/sarcasm
I read on some other post where Israeli airline El Al routinely has its pilots and attendants pack heat in flight...

[Storm Orphan]

An armed society is a polite society bump for two great writers and lovers of freedom.

[BenR2]

I've issued a challenge several times over the last few days, but have had no good answers.

My challenge: What MORE could have gone wrong (than actually did) last Tuesday, if both passengers and aircrew had been armed (with guns and/or knives)?

I would like to issue that as a world wide challenge. Any takers?

[Brian Allen]

I don't think there would be anything wrong with having at least two or three people on board every flight who's main job is to "ride shotgun", including the co-pilot.

Why not?

Every Arab airline carries armed guards -- as does Israel's El-Al -- the world's most secure!