Spear gun

[Oblivionboyj]

The thread on conceal carry got me thinking.
I'm sure it would be easy enough justify a knife, machete, or hatchet on a boat.
I doubt they would even be considered a weapon in the same way a gun is.

But what about a spear gun?
Are there any legal considerations for keeping a spear gun on your boat that anyone is aware of?
Or what about a fishing compound or crossbow?
It seems to me that there would be legitimate items to have on a boat even in the restrictive states (CA, NY, NJ, CT, RI, MA, MD), but I don't know for sure.
Does anyone know the answer here?

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Don't know. But I'd think a spear gun would be cumbersome and unwieldy.

For close range self defense, an answer I've suggested in the past, and perfectly legal anywhere, is a can of wasp spray- shoots about 20 feet and nobody is gonna keep on after getting a face full.

 

[zeehag]

there are specific types here in mexico one is not allowed to carry much less use.... research well.

 

[Oblivionboyj]

I'm not asking for self defense reasons.
I'm asking if having a fishing implement or tool that could reasonably considered a weapon is a problem.

 

[zeehag]

in mexico there is a law regulating kinds of spear guns allowed in mexican waters and by whom and what gringos are allowed to fish with and what not allowed. they will board and search. if you have contraband, not good. research the kinds of spearguns allowed into which places you wish to cruise.
for mexico---conapesca was place to go for fishing licenses--now sure now the new regime has changed everything, but only the co-operativa is allowed to fish in most places and manners... be safe--research well.

 

[capta]

Spear guns are forbidden aboard a visiting sailboat in many of the islands of the Caribbean and possibly the Bahamas. I don't remember exactly when (the 80's?), but it became such a hassle having one aboard, I stopped spearfishing entirely. Just a few years previously, I could feed a whole anchorage in an hour or two in the water.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Still can't use a spear gun in Bahamas. CAN use a pole spear or Hawaiian sling. As of 2011 anyway

 

[Oblivionboyj]

Still can't use a spear gun in Bahamas. CAN use a pole spear or Hawaiian sling. As of 2011 anyway

What about using a pole spear in the Caribbean or Mexico?
I should be able to find out pretty easily if one is legal to use in PA/DE/MD/VA.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Mexico is still operating in 1940, which is good, you can still bribe them. Same here, it's just more expensive. Just my opinion, but owning one, and using one is wildly different. A rock is legal, until you hit someone with it..

 

[Gary_H]

I carry a Hawaiian sling type spear on my boat along with mask and fins. I guess it really depends on where you are as to legality. Defensively speaking when I stretch that rubber band all the way it has a lot of speed and power although short range. A hollow handled survival knife that threads onto a boathook pole works too. The ability to create unobtrusive but deadly weapons out of everyday items is limited only by the imagination.

 

[rfrye1]

Couple easy and legal defense options. Flare gun and Bear spray. Just don't use either one inside the cabin........

Bob

 

[Oblivionboyj]

Just to be clear here...
I'm not really asking about self defense option, or using a tool as a defensive weapon.
I'm good on the use of improvised weapons.
The CC thread just got me thinking about items on the boat other than guns.
I'm asking about the legality of sporting and fishing tools, that could be targeted as an illegal weapon by a zealous law enforcement officer.