Set To Stun

Back in September Jacob considered how a federal mandate for guns in passenger plane cockpits infringes on the airlines' right to operate their own businesses. Now comes a test case. United Airlines wants to give pilots stun guns; one of the pilots' unions complains that this move is "diverting attention" of making the airlines arm pilots with lethal weapons. "Now is not the time for the [Transportation Safety Administration] to take their eye off the ball," says union boss Jon Safley. Meanwhile, the TSA is leaning toward stun gun deployment.

Comments

[Larry]

Let's see if I have this straight. If I'm riding an airliner and I turn on my cellphone, laptop, or electric razor, I'll send the plane spinning helplessly into the abyss. But we're going to "arm" pilots with a 40,000 volt stun gun.

[Billy Oblivion]

Oh, it's worse than that.
See, the government *really* doesn't want to arm pilots, but their position is that if a plane is taken over, they'll just shoot it out of the air.

So, you have a situation where *YOU* are not allowed to defend yourself, nor does the TSA want the pilots and or flight crew to be able to defend the plane, but the government is perfectly willing to kill you and everyone aboard the plane.

And stunguns. Utterly fucking useless against a someone who is drunk, on drugs, has dry skin, is wearing a thick shirt, turtleneck or a jacket, or is just hell for dedicated to kicking your ass.

The TSA should be defunded just for proposing this.

"...The right to keep and bear arms SHALL NOT be infringed.".

Plane fucking english.

[Gene 6-Pack]

What an idiotic rule. Stun guns just won't do it. I suggest that when the next jet is skyjacked, the lawyers sue the airline if the pilots were not armed with lethal weapons.

[Hank]

Fuck all that. Everyone should be allowed to pack heat on an airplane. EVERYONE. Airplanes make juicy terrorist targets because they know the occupants are defenseless.

[Tom]

Why not just arm the pilots with short-barrelled 12-guages? Massive up-close power, enough to paint the walls of the first class cabin with Ali or Habib, but much safer for the skin of the plane than a full metal jacket.

[Anonymous]

The TSA should be defunded ... PERIOD.

[Jough]

How are you supposed to kill a hijacker with a stun gun?

Also, keep in mind how well they worked on Rodney King. And he was only on drugs.

[Douglas Fletcher]

I'm all for arming the pilots. I just don't want them to arm those gay guys they have walking the aisles, asking you if you want a snack.

[dameka]

I think pilots should not pack heat on a plane because some of the pilots could be hijacker's are just crazy phycos.