House votes to allow guns in cockpit

[ClubMed]

[daveleau]

They already exist (bullets that disintegrate before they puncture aircraft's hull).

I will be surprised if this passes the Senate.

[desmocat]

The Glaser safety slug is already on the market for home defense.
With a 9mm load, when it hits anything, it will start to disintegrate, if it's a human body, sheetrock, etc.

from their website FAQ's:

The GLASER Safety Slug was carried by the sky marshals on planes for years, would they be safe on a commercial jetliner ... ?

The Safety Slug was extensively tested by the sky marshal service during the 70's and 80's. They were convinced that the GLASER had the most effective stopping power at close range, with the least likely hood of structural damage. Glaser is an excellent choice for any situation where there are a large number of people; where the danger of a ricochet hitting someone is great; or when a bullet passing through interior walls is a concern.

the website is here:
http://www.safetyslug.com/

[Epidemic]

The risk of depressurization is extremely low to non existant. I would believe that the air generators could handle 10 or more 9mm punctures with out appretiable risking passangers. The saftey rounds would reduce this even further.

I am not sure of the wiring and hydrolics but the main fear that is bantered about is risk of catastrophic depressurization/ rupture. This fear is unfounded.

[Theophylact]

Bumper Sticker:

[Epidemic]

Theo,

Have you noticed that those pilots already have all the lives in their hands anyway. Putting the gun there would not unduely risk any one. Of course the failure to have guns leaves you open to the terrorist being the only armed persons on the plane.

For you gunaphobics I think that cocpit should be equipped with a holster that has a pressure switch. The pressure switch records an entry in the Black box and sets off the hijack alarm. If the drunk pilot decided to take out the firearm for fun there is a record of it and there will be hell to pay. Other wise if removed for the correct reason the gun is an invaluable tool.

[ILC]

Let us also not forget that the majority of airline pilots were first military pilots.

I find it funny, we trust these people with hundreds of lives and multi-million dollar airplanes daily, we trust them to take off and land in all types of weather, and trust them to get to our destinations as smoothly as possible.

However, even though they hold all that responsibility, people still feel they lack the responsibility to carry sidearms.

Theo, weren't those two pilots IMMEDIATELY terminated after being caught?

ILC

[Theophylact]

Have you noticed that those pilots already have all the lives in their hands anyway.

By the same token, I'd improve my safety by bringing my own bomb onto an airplane, because the chance of having two bombs on one plane is negligible. (Just yanking your chain, Epidemic.)

[Underclocked]

I wonder if we all truly exercised our 2nd Amendment right to bear arms how many hijackings would be successful?

Perhaps the WTC towers would still stand.

"Allowing" the pilots to carry effective weapons seems little enough.

[Theophylact]

Okay, Underclocked,:

Maybe I better bring two bombs!