To improve airline security, DHS should utilize an untapped resource - the Nation's 800,000 State and local law enforcement officers.
Federal Air Marshals carry firearms to protect flights, and they are valuable. However, the program's costs are immense and Marshals cannot be on every flight. Pilots who receive special training can also carry a firearm on flights.
To further protect the flying public, State and local law enforcement officers who receive special training should also be allowed to carry concealed firearms. They are already highly trained and trusted to make life and death decisions. Allowing them to carry aboard flights is an inexpensive way to improve security.
Importantly, doing so can also lessen our reliance on more invasive security measures such as body scanners