I'm thinking yes, in case one of the mission specialists turn out to be a terrorist.  What do you think?

Shuttle pilots are mammals.  What if one totally flipped out and started killing people?

Yeah, with GLOX.
Those plastic pistols can't be detected by security, you know... [:E]

Actually, there is a concern that the ISS could be a terror target, the problem is any county with a scud, a calculator, 100 pounds of ten penny nails, and a little luck could bring down the ISS. Not a whole lot we could do about it but I would be pissed as all hell if those freaking camel humpers undid 2 decades of work. (LOL, of course that is counted the years clinton screwed with the program)

As for guns on the shuttle, na, when we have a colony on Mars, the Belt, or Europa, then hell ya. Guns indigenously produced by automated factories, all kinds of other ordnance for the independence movement when it happens.

Anyone for another July revolution, meet ya on Thrasis, say 2076? [:D]

I don't think the SCUD has enough power to get anything to orbit.

Why make guns?  We'll just throw rocks:
[url=http://www.booksamillion.com/ncom/books?id=2153911337693&pid=0312861761]The Moon is a Harsh Mistress[/url] by Robert Anson Heinlein.

space shuttles should only be operated by ninjas.

ninjas are perfect for this job because on one hand they dont give a crap, but on the other hand they are very careful and precise.

space shuttles are awesome



     -Spaceman

You are right, it does not have the power to atain orbital velocity, but it does have sufficent power to loft a payload to that altitude. Time it right that an explosive hurls nails, or shrapnal at a target, IT'S orbital velocity will be enought to do nasty, nasty damage.

I'd like to see them bring down the ISS!  That would be an amazing feat.  I'll join whatever terror group pulls that one off because they deserve to win!