While we are on the subject of carrying a firearm on the Electra, there was a case of having to shoot a horse on a charter NZ to MEL. Late seventies I think. Horse went berserk in flight after playing up pre flight.
Amazed CASA, or whoever they called themselves then, allowed untrained crew to discharge a firearm in flight.
Would have loved to sit in on the Enquiry to hear the comments. Upshot was that thereafter we carried a vet with a big needle.