I recall a "speculative fiction" story I read in the, 60s I think. It dealt with personal and societal responsibility. The plot device put in the hands of every citizen the ability to destroy the world (I think it was some kind of beam that could be pointed at the center of the earth to cause global devastation). I recall it poorly, and probably haven't described it well enough to jog anyone's memory. I think the story ended ambiguously, with people wondering if they would survive or not. My take on the situation suggested that it would take about a minute for someone to destroy the planet.

We are headed, if not to that destination, then certainly in that direction. The amount of energy that each individual can consume increases with every generation. Energy can be used to destroy, as well. As available energy increases, the potential threat increases.

A jetful of aviation fuel, or a truckful of fertilizer are wonderful weapons. There are lots more weapons out there. These weapons will always be available. Right now, there are people who are working really hard on the question of what is the max destruction that can be wreaked using only a schoolbus, for example. Thier creative answers probably surpass anything I could come up with.

Bottom line #1: I don't think we will ever be able to deprive the bad guys of their weapons of mass destruction.

Bottom line #2: If a badguy is willing to sacrifice everything in order to make his point, then threats of massive retaliation are of little value.

Unfortunately, I don't have a solution to the problem. I just don't think that yours would work, either.