The only was I coule ever envisage firearms on a UK aircraft (I myself dont particulary like the idea!), would be for a firearms officer to be the carrier - not a pilot. Currently in the UK there are only a limited number of officers with firearms training, maybe it could involve setting up a 'Skymarshalls' branch of the Met.
Yeah we have a different view to firearms over here as regards personal possession, but I would just like to say to all the US guys who go UK bashing over this issue that just because you have the bit of paper that says you can carry one and the weapon itself - it doesn't mean you are neccessarily any good with it. Now thats a frightening thought!....I would rather leave them in the hands of people who are constantly trained, assessed and have them locked away at the end of the shift and if deemed not competent, have it taken off them as well!
Julian.
[ 11 October 2001: Message edited by: Julian ]