Letters to the Editor

This letter is associated with the following article:
When pilots carry guns. Plus: Airport security and yet more TSA brainteasers.
  • How did it "discharge?"

    My understanding is that the handgun in question is an HK USP 40 Compact, the same gun that my wife carries (with a legal handgun permit.)

    This gun has an external safety, which when set makes the gun impossible to fire. In addition it's a DA/SA gun, which means that the first shot is double action, and subsequent shots are single action. The first shot requires around a 12 pound trigger pull.

    Or as my wife puts it, in order to fire the first shot, "you just about have to stand on the goddamned trigger."

    Quality handguns -- which the HK is -- don't "go off accidentally" -- unless the person carrying it does something very wrong.