Comments on: To Arm or Not to Arm?

By: Clif Burns

Clif Burns — Sun, 17 May 2009 16:11:26 +0000

To arm a crew on a vessel is not exporting arms!!

Wrong. You might want to read section 120.17 of the ITAR before making such an assertion.

By: Roger Tomberlin

Roger Tomberlin — Sun, 17 May 2009 16:06:57 +0000

The comments of Shapiro earlier is very relevant to the current situation in Africa and other parts of the world. If this was a perfect world and everyone played by the rules, we would not be debating this issue. Unfortunately, it is not a perfect world and we have armed thugs boarding merchant vessels in International waters. I have researched and author papers concerning these issues,and have come to the conclusion that after all logical peaceful action have been taken by the maritime vessels (variance, convoys,etc) then stricter measures must be implemented.

Concerning the comments about export license (126.1) this only deals with the export and selling of arms to other nations and especially to states that are of ill repute. To arm a crew on a vessel is not exporting arms!! 10 USC 351 is th way to go. I will be waiting to see how these issues will change once more lives are lost and when the insurance agents can squeeze a little more money out of the maritime community. Remember this is a business.

By: Hillbilly

Hillbilly — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:50:50 +0000

The new Barret Rifle in a .41 caliber, the 21st Century version of the Tennessee Long Rifle made famous at New Orleans and the Alamo, might be just the trick. Designed to frustrate California’s ban on .50 cal rifles, like its .50 cal. older brother currently used by the USCG to stop fast-boats used by drug runners, it can penetrate light armor and engine blocks plus has a longer range. They comes in either a bolt or semi-automatic, so they is regulated as an ordinary Cat.I(a) and fall within the exemption. Of course, the shooter had best be a well-trained sharpshooter or at least a hillbilly.

By: Kelly Yip

Kelly Yip — Sat, 09 May 2009 02:31:12 +0000

I find your website to be highly informative and valuable to the compliance banking sector.
Your perceptive analysis of the articles you chose to highlight are extremely insightful and engaging.

Regards,
Kelly

By: Kelly Yip

Kelly Yip — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:06:03 +0000

When I was reading your posting last night, the first thought that came to mind was “Federal Air Marshals.”

If it can be done effectively with planes, we should have something similiar for ships, non?

Regards,
Kelly