Quote Originally Posted by Medusa View Post

So is there some legal reason why they can't be armed then?
YES - there are some legal reasons; and a lot of moral / personal reasons that
Merchant Ships should NOT be armed with guns ...

Legal Reasons:
* Many ports forbid armed Navy vessels from entering without special permission
* Armed vessels may have to dock far from populated areas
* Seamen's Unions will probably oppose arming their members without offering extra pay
* Without extensive (and expensive) training, an armed Seaman is a liability to
his own shipmates and the general public.

Moral / Personal reasons not to arm:
* Bad guys are more likely to *shoot* if they THINK the Good guys might
* Civilian Ships are not armored - poorly suited to withstand gunfire
* Civilian Seamen joined to sail the ship - not play Marine
* Where do you draw the line? How BIG a gun is OK?

My suggestion - let the Navy Guys *sink* a few more pirates and the
*thrill* of hijacking may start to fade a bit.

GO NAVY!!