I have been saying essentially the same thing about "airport security" (that very unfunny joke on the traveling public) for about 15 years. The idea that doing MORE OF THE SAME is going to make a difference is ludicrous.
But, of course, allowing anyone but a duly authorized Federal Agent to be armed on a commercial airliner would be unthinkable, wouldn't it? I mean, someone could get hurt.
Anyway, the next terrorist outrage will not be following this same script. These people are evil, but they are NOT stupid.
Use your own imagination, but I personally am not planning to visit San Francisco or Los Angeles again for the duration of the war. (Unless I am ordered there).
During WWII, it was standard procedure for military pilots to carry 45 autos. After the war, many of them who went to work in the airlines continued to carry them in their map cases, up till 1962. When someone thought that it might be a good idea to disarm them, and wrote a rule to that effect.
The first hijacking was in 1964.