Private Security Increasingly Requested for Piracy
Former South African military forces are increasingly being asked (and commissioned) to provide protection for private and commercial vessels sailing through the Red Sea to protect against pirate attacks. Apparently, national laws limiting firearms are hampering some of these efforts. Citing "national security" concerns, private security forces are having trouble meeting requests for added security in real time.
Of course, every nation has a legitimate right to protect itself, and have laws that protect their soveriegnty, but I wonder how limits on small arms serve this purpose. It seems like a hold over from decades past. Small arms are not used to take over ships in port; they are used to take over ships already at sea. The real threat in ports would be large explosives, not rifles, pistols, or even rocket-propelled grenades (the weapons of choice for contemporary pirates).
Just a few thoughts. Perhaps its time to rethink these regulations in light of two realities: the persistent rise of piracy and the inherent limits of modern navies to patrol these waters with sufficient density to deter the pirates.
Of course, every nation has a legitimate right to protect itself, and have laws that protect their soveriegnty, but I wonder how limits on small arms serve this purpose. It seems like a hold over from decades past. Small arms are not used to take over ships in port; they are used to take over ships already at sea. The real threat in ports would be large explosives, not rifles, pistols, or even rocket-propelled grenades (the weapons of choice for contemporary pirates).
Just a few thoughts. Perhaps its time to rethink these regulations in light of two realities: the persistent rise of piracy and the inherent limits of modern navies to patrol these waters with sufficient density to deter the pirates.
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