<<I have a question regarding firearms and such. How many of us carry arms onboard our vessel? And of what kind? Recently I think I read that one of the standard flare gun sizes is 12 guage. Can a standard shotgun shell be used in these? Are they robust enough? Is a flare gun considered a weapon?>> Joel, There is a product on the market which consists of a steel barrel and cap that fits into a 12 gauge flare gun and enables it to fire a .410 shotgun shell. The manufacturer claims that it is not a weapon, the Feds claim that it is - similar to a pen gun. Anyway. one shot is pretty weak deterence to a determined attack. If you opt for arming yourself, get some real guns and the training to use them. And stick to US waters. Most foreign police frown on importing firearms. If you declare them, they may be confiscated. If you don't declare them and they are discovered, your boat may be confiscated and you may spend time in the slammer. One of my friends spent a lot of time cruising and fishing the Fla. Keys during the worst part of the drug wars. Every night just after anchoring, he and his buddies practiced trap shooting from the rear deck of his trawler. Just a warning to possible pirates lurking in the mangroves. Larry Z