[Alberta's Child]

There is no doubt that if a terrorist has an airplane, any airplane, with people or not, and it is headed at the Capitol, it MUST be shot down.

I agree, which makes the whole argument against arming pilots a pile of bullsh!t. If the U.S. military is fully prepared to shoot down a hijacked airliner filled with passengers, then what f#cking difference does it make if an armed crew member shoots a hole in the side of the aircraft????

[hoosierham]

The DIFFERENCE is : nearly all the people on the plane will LIVE if an armed pilot or passenger shoots one or twenty half-inch holes in the aircraft, whereas one missile will destroy an engine and wing leading quickly to complete death and destruction.

The choice is so obvious anyone should see it.

All pilots should have been required to be armed since the day they began flying. The pilot is already in control of the plane, if he is suicidal or a terrorist then a gun in addition makes no difference; but a sane pilot can use a gun to stop a terrorist, hijacker or nutcase.....Therefore, anyone who stops a pilot from having the tools he needs is guilty of aiding and abetting terrorism.