So, is a weapon advisable or not?

[davidNwillems]

I would recommend a shotgun ( I would NEVER try to bring a pistol across an international border, if you were with the border patrol for your country who would you be happier about , a pistol toter trying to get in or someone with what I''m about to recommend). The probable way to see to it that local officials wouldn''t find it too threatening is to get the double barrelled or even one-shot type (vs. a pump). These also have the advantage of dissasembly, any I have ever seen come apart into 2 much shorter pieces if you take off the forestock (very easy to do, 1 screw at most) before opening it as if to reload. The single shot types, usually refered to as a training or youth shotgun, can be bought rediculously cheap (under $100) used at most any place (in the USA mainland) that sells used guns (less $$ouch in a confiscation). A gizmo called an ammo sock ($15) that fits over the stock will hold 5 rounds near where they are needed (get the tight type that say caliber 12/16 for 12ga). I recommend 12ga magnum (meaning 3") as a minimum. Lots of different grades of ammo in this caliber including 1oz slugs (solid shot, not pellets, a huge bullet) for shooting at a pirates waterline. One other thing is go ahead and get a license for it(meaning from a weird area that requires one), make zillions of photocopies, and keep the original with the gun unless the customs guys insist on sighting the original, otherwise just give them a photocopy.
Shotguns are more usefull in a survival situation (if you remember to bring enough bird hunting ammo) than any other gun type. In a saltwater enviroment the gun is going to rust even if you don''t use it so oil it (especially the action and firing pin) like you are going mad about oiling. Also a kevlar vest will help as some have recommended as long as the enemy isn''t firing big-game ammo, so maybe it doesn''t even have to be very thick.
My point with this is you don''t have to arm like a pirate to fend them off, so you don''t have to look like one.

[zaslaw]

I believe the "Blake" referred to is the fellow who was attacked in Mexico/sea of cortez. If so, his story is suspected of being fraudulent.
If this is not the same, I stand corrected. But having cruised in that area, I would be shocked at the validity of the story and many are now piecing together inconsistencies. The issue of weapon-in any case- may or may not have been relevant. One has to keep it hidden in most places, and unlikely one would have gotten it out for "freindly visit by fisherman wishing to trade"