The U.S. Senate has voted for a bill that would allow pilots to be taught defense tactics that would include the possession of firearms on airplanes. Is post-Sept 11 security really worth the risk of a gun falling into the wrong hands on a flight?
There are so many things that can go wrong with having an authorized gun onboard a flight.
If a hijacker on a flight had a gun, then an armed pilot would double the chances of a bullet penetrating the walls of the airplane, which may cause a whole new set of problems that could surpass those of a hijacker trying to take over the plane.
If firearms become standard equipment on planes, then someone planning a hijacking could board the airplane completely unarmed and possibly get ahold of a weapon. Are guns the only way to prevent hijackings? Lawmakers should consider all options.
Teaching all aircraft employees the art of self-defense could help prevent a terrorist takeover. It also would reduce the need for guns on an aircraft.
But the most sensible solution is strengthening cockpit doors, which some airlines have done.If a hijacker cannot get into the cockpit of the plane, then he cannot successfully take it over or change its route. Airlines need to invest the money to build steel, bullet-proof doors that would be installed into all aircrafts to prevent the hijacker from getting to the pilot.