Yep, like I was saying, one's handgun are FAR MORE LIKELY to be used 1) against them, 2) in a suicide, 3) in a gun accident, 4) in a crime, and now, 5) shooting down one's own plane, than used to stop a perpetrator!

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/03/26/pilot.gun/

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A US Airways pilot who accidentally discharged his handgun in the cockpit during a flight has been suspended. . .

The mid-air incident, which occurred at 8,000 feet as the plane approached Charlotte, North Carolina, . . .

TSA declined to give details about how the gun discharged . . .

The bullet from the H&K USP .40-caliber gun penetrated the left side of the fuselage but did not hit any crucial wiring or instrumentation . . .

Why is the TSA arming pilots with small cannons? I'm thinking we need to arm pilots with billy clubs instead. Besides, any real threat from the cabin can be defused by decompressing the cabin or a barrel roll. Guns? Nah.

I'm thinking we need to arm pilots with billy clubs instead.

I'm thinking in light of this that we shouldn't arm the pilots with anything.

Just teach them how to talk nice to anybody that wants to do harm. I'm sure that words are the best weapon.

If you are nice to the bad guys they will be nice to you and not do their "bad" stuff.

Just ask the folks that were on the planes that hit the WTC buildings. Oh, wait. You can't, they are all dead.

It's conjecture only, but might the outcome be different had there been armed air marshals or armed pilots on those aircraft?

Besides, any real threat from the cabin can be defused by decompressing the cabin or a barrel roll.

Ok, I know you are just kidding with this, but think about the passengers. More harm would come to them if the cabin was decompressed.

Secondly, I know Tex Johnson rolled a 707 during a Boeing demo, (http://www.aviationexplorer.com/707_roll_video.htm) but I don't think it would be a good idea to do it with a plane load of people and loose baggage!

This pilot was just stupid and that's not something you can legislate or control! He should have his firearm certification permanently revoked and possibly his pilot’s license too.

I'd prefer that pilots stick with flying the airplane. If they want to play cop or security guard, get a second job. This pilot, a so-called "trained expert with a firearm" proved that these so-called trained experts really aren't that, and put the entire plane at risk as a result of his stupidity. He should be fired.

Damn, I hate to agree with Vitalogy, but I do on this one. The pilot clearly has bad judgment. If he does on this issue, he probably does on flying the plane also.