who here

[wowzer52]

I carried a .32 for a while for shooting halibut once I got them to the surface but left it at home when I got my harpoon. Got to make sure they are dead before putting them in the boat or they'll tear the boat apart. Some of the guys use a .22 rifle for halibut but I'm sure one of these days I'll see a hole in there boat. Other than shooting fish I don't see the need. Besides sometimes I fish in Canadian waters and I was told that the Canadian Coast Guard frowns on weapons aboard.

[k9th]

Have never been in a circumstance where I needed a gun. If it ever comes to that then boating will cease to be a hobby.

[chauzer]

used to carry a .44 mag but i upped it to a bow mount .50 cal when all of the "tin boats" started to take over in the summer! OH BOY you should see them little lunds and crestliners steppin and fetchin when i open up with that baby!!... just kidding, if there is no gun there is no temptation!

[foofer b]

I carry towing insurance though the chances of needing it aren't great. I have liability insurance though the need is even more remote. I have life insurance despite the (short term) need being even more unlikely.

These days the chance of becoming a victim of a crime is greater than it ever has ever been, even taking location into account. Therefore it is only prudent to have a firearm on board, especially as the police are many, many minutes away from the dock and still further from an anchorage. A flare gun may frighten intruders, though I doubt it would stop a determined criminal hopped up on adrenaline and who knows what else. Plus most flare guns are only single shot, and you run the serious risk of catching your boat on fire.