> Of course, plans were to use it only in special circumstances *on return to Earth*. But in space, on occasion, well-laid plans have a way of turning out very differently. In my publicity campaign, I suggested the presence of the gun, especially in light of recent space team psychological problems, might be an invitation to a future disaster.

There is something about it just so frustrating in his writing, he's so proud to have been a pest about it; the author is an American and NASA doesn't want images of cosmonauts with guns, cool. That's as far as that should have ever gone.

But don't impose your qualms on your Russian colleagues. Seriously? They were reunited with the earth with the intent to survive in less than ideal conditions, after being in SPACE of all places. Come on.