The problem is not what people take on aircraft. The vast majority of people could be trusted to take an anti tank weapon on an aircraft and not destroy it. It is totally impossible and impractical to stop people taking weapons on board an aircraft. Things like hands, feet, bottles, dental floss etc.
When we get over the ridiculous situation where I as a pilot am not allowed nail scissors in my case despite having access to a fire axe and indeed the flight controls, we can focus on proper security.
The point is to stop dangerous people getting on board aircraft. The technology already exists. Perhaps we could ensure that tabloid journalists are added to the database of people who are excluded from flying.