[AKbear]

Bump, good idea!

[ChocChipCookie]

I hear what the opponents of pilots w/guns are saying: Pilots need to focus on their task at hand. They're not trained to be policement, etc. However, in a desperate situation the pilot and co-pilot are the last line of defense for the poor innocents on board. They might never even need to use the gun, but for heaven's sake, they can be trusted with one!

[VinnyTex]

Screwed this post up....

Gonna have to get used to it.

[basil]

Great article from Mr. Lott (as usual). What happened to this post? Sure is a lot of empty space at the end, at least it's that way on my screen.

[Myrddin]

My dad's first criticism of the "air marshal" approach was the cost to pay 1 or more marshals per aircraft. They are going to have to factor that into the price of airline tickets or face the same stupid consequences as California purchasing electricity with tax dollars. It would be much better to have citizens with CCWs that have had an extra certification aboard aircraft. Ditto for pilots. I would pay the cost out of my pocket for the extra certification on top of my CCW in exchange for the right to be armed (with proper ammo) and excused from the asinine shakedown by security. As with any CCW holder, the ideal situation is to never have to fire the weapon. After the Sep 11th attack, I wouldn't think twice about intervening.

[Mulder]

Excellent article. Thanks for posting it.

[etcetera]

As much as I agree with the article, it's too much "out of the box" thinking for the bureaucracies that run and regulate airlines. They just can't think of anything other than to give us more of the same things that failed us in the past (metal detectors, baggage searches, banning scissors and nail clippers).

Heck, when they federalize airport security, the Wackenhut guys already there will just change their private security jackets for federal ones. And they'll be the bosses of the new hires. Think of that!

And Congress is no help here either. They're just as stuck in the box as all the rest of them

What we need is for Pres. Bush to issue an Executive Order mandating a national CCW with specific provisions relating to airports, aircraft, churches, restaurants, shopping malls, and other places where the public congregates.

Arm the public and let us be responsible for our own defense!

[The Raven]

Ain't gonna happen - although I don't remember hearing of a hijacking of a C-140 transport filled with Navy Seals.

But arming citizens - with all these "sleeper" stories floating around may make sense - but we need to train people in the use of firearms and keep the whack-o's off the street.

[packrat01]

Thirty-three states currently have "right-to-carry" laws

Not so. They are "shall issue" a license states. As if we need licensure to defend ourselves...

Having a CHL means less hassle, now that I'm 'legal'.

[Shooter 2.5]

I think it's time for me to start looking at Amtrak schedules.

In the meantime, I know what I want for Christmas. I want my CCW to be honored everywhere, anytime, out of state.

[Aurelius]

BUMP

[Aurelius]

The whole issue of what would happen if a pistol shot were to penetrate the fuselage of an airliner seems to be informed more by Hollywood screenwriter's imaginations than by the best technical understanding of the subject. That imaginative image is quite overblown, or perhaps I should say "over outblown". For a better understanding of what would actually happen, consult the recent articles on the subject of arming airline pilots by Dave Kopel at www.nationalreview.com. His articles are easily located at the site.