Untrained mariners are not allowed to carry weapons on non-military ships but often shipping companies hire mercanies escort ships to protect them - ie. Blackwater mostly run by ex navy veterans. Of course it wouldn't be smart to put guns on an oil tanker which has a thin hull or a very possibilty of big fireworks. These pirates are Islamic terrorists but our illustrous pc command-in-chief doesn't allow one to say that. Also the argument to bomb Somolia only creates more terrorists so that is not nice. So what are we to do? Put are thumb up our asses while the priates run wild? Two hundred years ago Jefferson knew what to do. The British and French cleared out the pirates in the Carribean. With all are military might, we have become pussies.