Back in 2007, I witnessed a break-in on the boat in front of me at Fairport NY. Five teenagers boarded, broke a lock and intended to drink some beer aboard. Instead, as soon as they got aboard, the owner came out of the dark bedroom and held the kids at gunpoint, and the cops were already waiting just a block away. One kid ran away, and was knocked flat on the pier by the first cop to arrive. All 5 were arrested. Of course they were rich kids and I'm sure they got off, but the one that ran and was caught also received some pier-side justice ... liberal application of a billy club. I doubt that particular bunch will do it again. But, if the boat owner had accidentally shot one of them, he would still be in jail. On the NY Canals, there is an occasional untying of lines and that is pretty much all that ever happens. Guns are not needed on the canals, you are safer here than on land in a large city. Fred Tug 44