...the usual clash of cultures...
"outlaw guns and only outlaws will have guns", as seen on US Bumper stickers. A certain logic does pertain to the quote, but in a society where guns are seldom, not to say never seen, this doesn't really hold up.
In lieu of 9/11 the perception of most travellers has changed so far, as to be sensitive to hijack threats. In conjunction with hightened ground security, which should be the main focus, I think that guns should be kept as far away from civil aircraft as possible.
On the point of security harassment of aircrews I do have to agree!!