US Airways shot raises fears about guns on planes

By Kyle Peterson

CHICAGO, March 31 (Reuters) - The recent accidental discharge of a pilot's gun highlights tensions over whether the number of authorized guns aboard U.S. commercial aircraft translates into safer skies.

A long list of travelers are permitted by law to carry guns on planes, including federal air marshals, certain pilots and law-enforcement agents traveling for business.

Supporters of the practice insist that the presence of armed pilots and law enforcement agents -- on and off duty -- cuts the chances of hijacking.

But others argue that the sheer number of guns on planes greatly increases the likelihood of an accident such as the one on a US Airways (LCC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) flight on March 22, when a gun carried by a pilot went off during flight in the cockpit. No one was injured.

"It's clearly a minor incident, but I think it's endemic of potentially larger problems," said Stuart Klaskin at KKC aviation consulting.

Klaskin says it is unnecessary for so many people to travel with weapons. Pilots, in particular, have enough to think about during a flight without worrying about keeping their weapons safe.

"When things happen like this, at best the industry looks silly. And at worst, the industry looks stupid," Klaskin said.

The US Airways pilot was a Federal Flight Deck Officer and authorized by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to carry a firearm.