by 
Adz3r0
ANSWERS: 3
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Good question. Even if that were so there have been some awesome non-lethal weapons coming out lately. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/International/Story?id=6381765&page=1 I'm particularly intrigued by the directional siren. Even the most pacifistic among us could point it at the pirates forcing them to abandon their chase. Does little to no permanent damage but it is not possible to continue an attack with your hands on your ears.
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I think not. Apart from anything else, crew and sometimes passengers may carry personal weapons. Exactly what size of weapons would be regarded as acceptable is debatable. The main argument against merchant vessels carrying guns is that if they do, or even are believed to do, the pirates are likely to come on board shooting, whereas at the moment they only threaten. Which would mean that the deaths start early, on both sides.
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Many ports have rules requiring vessels carrying armament to register and berth differently from merchant vessels. Some modifications of the maritime rules may be needed, but I don't think arming merchant vessels is the right answer. With the millions the pirates now have, that will just lead to an escalating war of firepower and ships going to the bottom. The naval powers of the world need to take on this problem, and ultimately on land as well as the sea. Somalia needs a working government.
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