Following a recent change made in May in the french regulations about the weapons authorizd onboard ships for Private Armed Security Agents are now limited to 9mm rifles, carbines or SMG without consideration for smaller ammunition like the affordable rimfire .22 Lr especially in low velocity when it comes fo fight on board.
This change has been obviously made to limit the risk of friendly fire and damages to the cargo and ship due to the use of 5,56mm or 7,62mm or even 12 gauge guns.
It means that the widely applaused HK MP5 or Berreta CX4 will now be very much more common and popular within the french ships armed guards community, but also that the agents will have to carry two differents weapons as the usual .308 Win is still authorized for defense against pirate ships.