[dead]

Live and learn.

I'm sure the AP is very sad that its come to this, since guns can never be used for good.

[humblegunner]

I think pirate-repelling would be a cool job!

[Reaganesque]

Look for the pirates to sue in US Court.

[dead]

the international maritime community was still "solidly against" armed guards aboard vessels at sea, but that American ships have taken a different line than the rest of the international community.

Another line that reads like a lament, coming from the AP.

Sums up the differences nicely.

[Puppage]

Maersk Alabama repels 2nd pirate attack with guns

Guns? Why not a restraining order? (do I need to add sarc here?)

[skeeter]

However, Roger Middleton, a piracy expert at the London-based think tank Chatham House, said the international maritime community was still "solidly against" armed guards aboard vessels at sea, but that American ships have taken a different line than the rest of the international community. "Shipping companies are still pretty much overwhelmingly opposed to the idea of armed guards," Middleton said. "Lots of private security companies employee people who don't have maritime experience. Also, there's the idea that it's the responsibility of states and navies to provide security. I would think it's a step backward if we start privatizing security of the shipping trade."

This is what passes for enlightened thought in the west. Insane.

[Big_Harry]

Some of the ports of call have very restrictive UN sanctioned small arms regs. I wonder if you have to throw your weapons overboard before entering?

[VRWCmember]

though private guards on board the U.S.-flagged ship repelled the attack with gunfire and a high-decibel noise device.

So GUNS in the hands of private citizens (not police or military) saved the day again.

[D Rider]

The pirates firing from 300 yds, most likely with AK-47’s is a waste of ammo. A couple of rounds from a 30-06, .308, (your favorite round here,) deer rifle with a scope would be the ticket.

[Oratam]

“Prepare to grapple.”

[VRWCmember]

However, Roger Middleton, a piracy expert at the London-based think tank Chatham House, said the international maritime community was still "solidly against" armed guards aboard vessels at sea, but that American ships have taken a different line than the rest of the international community. How's that working out for tthe "international community"? Spain just paid a $3 Million ransom, and the captain of a Korean vessel died from his wounds incurred in a piracy attack on Monday. I think the line taken by the American ships appears to make a lot more sense.

[Zhang Fei]

This is the good part:

A self-proclaimed pirate told The Associated Press from the Somali pirate town of Haradhere that colleagues out at sea had called around 9 a.m. — 2 1/2 hours after the attack.

"They told us that they got in trouble with an American ship, then we lost them. We have been trying to locate them since," said a self-described pirate who gave his name as Abdi Nor.

With any luck, they're at the bottom of the ocean.

[submarinerswife]

I remember the Nay sayers who said that it is “too dangerous and may escalate in to more casualties” if we have armed security on freighters the first time the Mersk was attacked.

Once again, they have no idea what they hell they are talking about.

Since this was a US ship, you can believe the pirates when they say next time Americans will get payback for the SEALs killing three of them.

[gimme1ibertee]

Wow...imagine that..repelling an attack with a gun!

Wait...now,this might sound nutty,but,hear me out...
maybe ALL cargo ships can have armed crews.
Too radical an idea,I guess...

[highlander_UW]

And where are the “guns never solved anything” liberals just now?

[Ironfocus]

Cool. No more soft targets.

What would be even better is to arm a few of those ships to the teeth, and go troll the waters. After a few of the pirates get blown out of the water in spectacular fashion after attacking what seemed to be just another cargo ship, they won’t know which ships are safe to attack and which not. and they may start to think twice.

[fortheDeclaration]

The U.S. Navy supported their self-defense actions.

The EU, naturally thinks that their ships should depend on their own navies to protect them-we see how well that is going!

[pyx]

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[Redcloak]

From the article...

However, Roger Middleton, a piracy expert at the London-based think tank Chatham House, said the international maritime community was still "solidly against" armed guards aboard vessels at sea, but that American ships have taken a different line than the rest of the international community.

Note to pirates: It is safe to attack non-American ships. They're not armed.

[WOBBLY BOB]

Keith “X” Ellison will probably file a human rights violation with the UN.

[Haiku Guy]

Payment in Iron.