This sounds like a good start to a gun thread.

Unfortunately, unless your a US Marine sniper on the deck of a large stable ship you probably are outgunned and will die a bloody death trying to use violence to protect yourself against violent armed people who have nothing to lose.

This is a complex issue that won't be solved by Rambo wannabees on private yachts. Perhaps one armed type A dude will succeed, but the next time the pirates will shoot first and ask questions later.

In fact this may be a teaching moment for the arrogant west on who's doorstep the entire state of the third world could be laid. Perhaps before we go invading or colonizing or exploiting or whatever it is next time we should look back on what can be learned from the past.

In the mean time it seems like people who have a choice should avoid any waters within several hundred miles of somalia, because it's clear from recent events that these guys are operating way out to sea with complete impunity. I mean seriously folks, they just took a Chinese ship and crew with no adverse consequences. Do you really think you can bring violent reprisal when the Chinese are unable to do so? Good luck with that.