What's Your Opinion? Firearms or Not?

You say booby trap, and I think dragging anchor OH S**T!
I like your idea Sean, but I have to say I can not imagine looking poor in a 50' Gulfstar.

[Lodesman]

I thought of that too - not specifically dragging the pick, but a fire on board, or other emergency that would prompt you out of bed and on deck (and given the trend in the stories I've read) naked or nearly that. Try explaining how you've damaged yourself to a doctor in another language

[jimini]

Carry one bullet into Mexico and recieve thirty years in an Mexcian Jail - all expenses paid!

[CaptainK]

Actually, to add to what jimini said. One bullet will land you in jail in Mexico.

In all actually is added on top of the bullet. Even a unloaded handgun will land you in jail.

[moonchaser]

went from u.s.a. to venezuela & fortunately never needed one. better be prepared to hide it & lie as many places you would have trouble getting it back. also what good is it locked up on shore?

[CaptainK]

Moonchaser, states a good point here?

What good is a gun if it's left ashore.

Here's a few pointers, to those who hates guns. And likes guns.

1) If you're planning to go cruising and hate guns. Just don't buy one.

2) If you planning to buy a boat. And already own a gun. Either leave the gun at home. Or bring it with you. (pay the price) if the law finds it. And you never declare it. To the slammer you go?

3) If you own a boat but plan to buy a gun. At lease read up on the countries laws, before paying the visit. And then you might bring the gun along?

[Lodesman]

I offer the following as a reasoned opinion based on extensive reading and careful consideration of the subject; I want to make it clear that I am not an expert, and have little practical experience that would apply. That said...
I think it's important to differentiate between piracy on the high seas and break and enter in port. In a port or at an anchorage, you're most likely to be burgled while you're not there or asleep. The best defence is proper security - don't leave the shiny kit out in sight, lock up what must be left out, and secure all hatches and doors, so that they can't be opened from the outside. Use alarms and/or motion-activated lights. Chances are the burglers will get spooked and run away by the slightest commotion, so weapons would not likely be required. You may also benefit from the assistance of 'neighbours' and/or the local police.
On the high seas, pirates invariably make an aggressive incursion on your vessel. Make as much commotion as you want - they won't likely be scared off as they know you are on your own - no mutual support and no police. From what I've read the type of 'pirate' that preys on pleasure boats is not usually the same as the pirates that target commercial vessels - they don't have mother ships, sophisticated equipment and inside information; pleasure boats are simply targets of opportunity. It seems that this type of small potatoes pirate is generally (but not always) lightly armed, maybe only having a machete or large knife. In this case just showing that you are armed would probably be sufficient for them to leave you alone.
As for worrying about losing the weapons to some banana-republic Dirty Harry wanna-be sheriff, something I read advised to only take long guns as handguns have the macho factor that makes them more likely to be "collected." It advised also to retain an important piece such as the breech, or keep a trigger-lock on it when you surrender the weapon to the authorities.
I understand there is a PITA factor having to clear weapons in and out of every country, but it sounds like you generally have to clear yourselves in and out of every country - I would appreciate a first-hand point of view on the added trouble, from those who carry guns or have in the past.
I'm not actually advocating that everyone should carry guns - I think this is a highly-individualized decision. If you don't know how to handle them or would be nervous having them on board then you should not carry them. The reality is that there is only a very slim chance that you would ever encounter a 'pirate.' Having a gun on board is a lot like having insurance and only you can determine if the cost (of the gun and the added hassle) is worth it. To paraphrase someone who was 'mugged' at sea - I hate being a statistic.

Kevin

I have seen several alternatives posted here to guns for protection. A taser being one of them. I thought I would share this with everyone. This was sent to me by a friend, but I do not know who the actual person was, and he is not fessing up
A BIT OF A READ (long), BUT HYSTERICAL!

First Day of Retirement

My wife is fond of saying that my last words on this earth will be
something akin to "Well, I have out done myself once again." No doubt
you will see this true story chronicled in a
Lifetime movie in the near future. Here goes....

On my first day of retirement, I bought something at the Police
Supply Shop that tickled my fancy. (Note: Keep in mind that my
"fancy" is easily tickled). I
bought something really cool for my wife. The
occasion is my retirement and I was looking for a little something
extra for my lovely bride.

What I came across was a 100,000-volt,
pocket/purse-sized Tazer gun with a clip. For those of you who are
not familiar with this product, it is a less-than-lethal stun gun
with two metal prongs designed to incapacitate an assailant with a
shock of high-voltage, low amperage electricity while you flee to safety.

The effects are supposed to be short lived, with no long-term adverse
affect on your assailant, but allowing you adequate
time to retreat to safety. You simply jab the prongs into your 250
lb. tattooed assailant, push the button, and it will render him a
slobbering, goggle-eyed, muscle-twitching, whimpering, pencil-neck geek. If
you've never seen one of these things in action, then you're truly
missing out -- way too cool! I've seen several demonstrations for
cops, but I found this handheld one for civilians.

Long story short, I bought the device and brought it home. I loaded
two AAA batteries in the darn thing and pushed the button. Nothing! I
was so disappointed. Upon reading the directions (we don't need no
stinkin' directions), I found much to my
chagrin that this particular model would
not create an arc between the prongs. How
disappointing! I do love fire for effect . I learned that if I pushed
the button, however, and pressed it against a metal surface that I'd
get the blue arc of electricity darting back and forth between the
prongs that I was so looking forward to.
I did it. Awesome!!! Sparks, a blue arc of electricity, and a loud
pop!!! Yipeeeeee... I'm easily amused, just for your information, but
I have yet to explain to her what that burn spot is on the face of
her microwave.

Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that
it couldn't be all that bad with only two triple-A batteries, etc., etc.

There I sat in my recliner, her cat looking on
intently (trusting little soul), reading the
directions (that would be me, not the cat) and
thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on a flesh and
blood target. I must admit I thought about zapping the cat for a
fraction of second and thought better of it. She is such a sweet
kitty after all.
But, if I was going to give this thing to my
wife to protect herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance
that it would work as advertised. Am I wrong? Was I wrong to think
that? Seemed reasonable to me at the time.

So, there I sat in a pair of shorts with my reading glasses perched
delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one
hand, Tazer in the other. The directions said that a one-second burst
would shock and disorient your assailant; a two-second burst was
supposed to cause muscle spasms and a loss of bodily control; a
three-second burst would purportedly make your assailant flop on the
ground like a fish out of water.

All the while I'm looking at this little device
(measuring about 5" long, less than 3/4 inch in
circumference, pretty cute really, and loaded with two itsy, bitsy
AAA batteries) thinking to myself, "no friggin' way!"

Friggin' way - trust me, but I'm getting ahead of myself. What
happened next is almost beyond
description, but I'll do my best. Those of you who know me well have
got a pretty good idea of what followed.

I'm sitting there alone, the cat looking on with her head cocked to
one side as to say, "don't do it Buddy," reasoning that a one-second
burst from such a tiny lil' ole thing couldn't hurt all that bad
(sound, rational thinking under the circumstances, wouldn't
you agree?). I decided to give myself a one-second burst just for the
###### of it.

(Note: You know, a bad decision is like hindsight-- always
twenty-twenty. It is so obvious that it was a bad decision after the
fact, even though it seemed so right at the time. Don't ya hate that?)

I touched the prongs to my ***** thigh, pushed the button, and HOLY
**** DAaaaaMN!!! I 'm pretty sure that Jessie Ventura ran in through
the front door, picked me up out of that recliner then body slammed
me on the carpet over and over again. I vaguely recall waking up on
my side in the fetal position, nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to
be found, soaking wet, with my left arm tucked under my body in the
oddest position. The cat was standing over me making sounds I had
never heard before, licking my face, undoubtedly thinking to
herself, "do it again, do it again!"

(Note: If you ever feel compelled to mug yourself with a Tazer, one
note of caution. There is no such thing as a one-second burst when
you zap yourself. You're not going to let go of that thing until it
is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the
floor. Then, if you're lucky, you won't lodge
one of the prongs 1/4" deep in your thigh like yours truly)

SON-OF-A-***** that hurt! A minute or so later (I can't be sure, as
time was a relative thing at this point), I collected my wits (what
little I had left), sat up and surveyed the landscape. My reading
glasses were on the mantel of the fireplace. How did they get
there??? My triceps, right thigh and both titties were still
twitching. My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocain, as my
bottom lip weighed 88 lbs., give or take an ounce or two, I'm pretty sure.
By the way, has anyone seen my testicles? I think they ran away. I'm
offering a reward.
They're round. Miss 'em...! sure would like to get 'em back.

I wonder what retirement day two will bring?

[CaptainK]

Man Kai.

That was damn funny !! LMAO !!!

Well... Here it comes... The big 1000!!!
I wish I had something profound to say, but all I can think of is Shocking! just Shocking
As I said, I am not sure who this character is, but I must admit that it could be anyone I hang out with, or even me

[CaptainK]

Congradulations Kai.

On your 1,000th post.

Well whoever the hell who sent you that email. Man that was damn funny!!

[2divers]

Congrads on the 1000th post!!!!!

Good God Kai, I haven't read or seen anything that painfully funny since one of my fellow boyscouts peed on an electric fence in a cow pasture.

I laughed for a good five minutes and my sides still hurt. I'm not sure whats funnier, that he did it to himself or that I could possibly see myself doing the same thing. After all it's only a pair of 1.5 volt AAA batteries right.

OH god I'm still giggling as I think about it.

I wonder what happens with one of those things if you are dripping wet with salt water? YIKES!
Your electric fence reference reminds me of a story my wife tells. Her father set up an electric fence, and standing there in his insulated boots grabbed hold and told her it wasn't working. She, in her bare feet grabbed hold
It worked!

[Alan Wheeler]

Or one similar to that, a mate after being told that if he had rubber boots on, he wouldn't get the zap casue he is insultated. But if he grabs the hand of someone beside him, only that person would. Well he tried it. Yep the person beside him got zapped alright, but seeing as he was part of the circuit, so did he. It was kinda two birds with one stone

I think we are onto something here. A squirt gun plugged into the inverter. Unthreatening, and legal Sounds as logical as shot gun shells thru a flare gun to me