Excellent point. I wonder if there’s a policy on that, and if he was following it. They wouldn’t urge pilots to keep one in the chamber would they?
It’s possible. Some outfits require their protective details to keep a round chambered. The issue, however, is that all manufacturers of such trigger locks state unequivocally thou shalt not use a trigger lock on a loaded weapon. The reasons for this are obvious. That being said, if the front office weasels in TSA have an established policy contrary to common sense that clearly creates a situation leading to injury or death, you either ignore the rule, or opt out of the program. As a pilot, one would be free to choose the latter, and continue a happy care-free career flying the friendly skies. To do nothing means one hasn’t thought things through, and therefore shouldn’t be carrying a firearm.