Pilots are busy enough flying airplanes. To make pilots an extension of law enforcement is impractical reality.
There are larger implications about gun toting pilots: How and where to store loaded weapons in hotels during layovers; how to carry loaded weapons in transport to and from hotels; pilots with loaded guns in foreign countries, what are the legal implications? For armed pilots to carry loaded guns between airports and hotels in foreign countries will require bilateral Interpol agreements.
I doubt that this cowboy pilot mentality will be accepted by U.S. lawmakers, nor by the international community.
Yes, I am one airline pilot who believes that the answer is: Reinforced cockpit bulkheads with steel doors, heavy locks and revised inflight security training. Closed circuit video camera in front of cockpit door. New passenger awarness would include a taylored preflight security briefing for them as well. Since Sept 11th the mind set of passenger awareness has changed. It's highly unlikely now that passengers would sit idle during any air rage or hijack attempt.
