This connversation worries me. In Britain it is illegal to own handguns and the Plt's weapon would be an extra one to be used by a hijacker. Discharging a weapon is likely to cause a breach and depressurisation so who would be stupid enough to take that risk unless they have a death wish? If I was a terrorist I would just start killing passengers until said gun was handed over. I would be very reluctant to get on a passenger aircraft where I new the crew carried guns!