[Always Independent]

I believe under international law, merchant vessels cannot be armed.

[Red in Blue PA]

If the pirates keep this up long enough, said international law will surely be amended.

[JSteff]

“I believe under international law, merchant vessels cannot be armed.”

During WWWII merchant vessels had small arms, 20mm, and 40mm cannon.

[TChris]

I believe under international law, merchant vessels cannot be armed.

Naval "gun-free zones", with all the expected consequences.

Too many people just never learn.

[marktwain]

“I believe under international law, merchant vessels cannot be armed.”

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No, I do not believe that is correct. It is not international law, but the laws of various nations, most importantly the nation the ship is registered in, that most commonly prevent this. They there is the policy of other nations on how they treat private weapons when the ship is in port.

We need international law to clearly recognize the rights of civilian ships to be armed for self defense, and to retain those arms aboard ship while they are in any port.

Requiring people to fight automatic weapons and RPGs with water hoses is an incredibly ludicrous example of political correctness.