@john65pennington You are correct about SM’s having a different type of weapon and also correct about the average traveler not knowing they are there. The problem with the program is (as almost always) the regulations that go along with it. Frequent Flyers can pick out SM’s without blinking an eye. I won’t go into specifics on a public board but the enemy knows who they are and as stated earlier, they are way too few and far between on flights.
Armed pilots do go through a very intensive training program taught by the best instructors in the world. On top of that, the vast majority of pilots who volunteer for the program are gun enthusiasts to start with. Everyone in the program that I know have been handling guns for many years and are very familiar with their weapon. I know of at least two pilots that carry that are former police officers. That is not to say accidents can’t happen. (I know a police officer that shot a whole in his squad car showing off a new pistol.)
As far as decompression from a bullet, that is a myth. It only happens on TV.
The best answer is usually a combination of different programs. SM’s, armed pilots, SOP’s for flight attendants…all have a place.
One last thing to remember about SM’s is that the program is very expensive for the airline and that cost is passed on to the passenger. If the SM’s are flying on a two cabin airplane one will be in First Class at the airlines expense. First Class is where they make most of their money.