If this really happened it is a little redundant. My understanding is that the FAA always allowed pilots to be armed. It was the airlines that banned it. Nothing has changed. IIRC, the FAA allowed airlines to arm their crews if those crews passed FAA-approved courses. No courses, however, were actually approved by the FAA.
Okay. I read an article on CNS News about how it was not prohibited. They didn't mention any courses. Either someone didn't do their homework or everyone is confused.