What type of weapons may Coast Guard personnel be authorized to carry?

Coast Guard personnel may be authorized to carry firearms for law enforcement and defense purposes. This is because the Coast Guard has a law enforcement mission that includes enforcing maritime laws, ensuring the safety of vessels, combating drug trafficking, and carrying out search and rescue operations. In the course of these duties, they may need to carry firearms as a means of defending themselves and others, as well as to enforce regulations effectively.

The training they receive ensures that they are prepared to utilize these weapons appropriately in various operational scenarios, reinforcing their capability to respond to threats in maritime environments. While non-lethal options, personal defense tools, and pepper spray are also tools that may be used in various situations, the authorization to carry firearms is a specific and necessary component of their law enforcement authority.