I live in Texas, where they issue you a hand gun with your drivers license permit. Does any know the attitude of the coast gaurd on having guns aboard? I want to go to the Bahamas and all the states along the way. Is there a maritime law that allows a recreational sailboat owner/captain to have a gun aboard when he goes into port or are the laws of each state or country I enter overriding?
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Mean bad guns
Somehow sarcasm is lost when printed. I was just warned that any question about guns gets political fast. I'm really not trying a debate. There is no debate really. If I can carry an M-16, I will. If I can't I won 't.
I was just looking for the status quo, didn't mean to get any one pannies in a twist.
Somehow sarcasm is lost when printed. I was just warned that any question about guns gets political fast. I'm really not trying a debate. There is no debate really. If I can carry an M-16, I will. If I can't I won 't.
I was just looking for the status quo, didn't mean to get any one pannies in a twist.
My sarcasm is this ...
I was given licence to drive a jungle troop carrier lovingly called a "Gamma Goat", and an M1 Garrand rifle in Vietnam. Later I swapped out the rifle for one that jammed and was made outa cheap plastic called the M16. If that's what you want to protect your life then so be it. It was a piece of shit.
I was 18 then and could not legally drink nor vote at the time (outside the Military). Didn't matter though. I don't own a gun today in my golden years, but I think it is by the grace of God that Texas bestows you the legal right to own one. Be thankful. Not sarcastic.
CP
I was given licence to drive a jungle troop carrier lovingly called a "Gamma Goat", and an M1 Garrand rifle in Vietnam. Later I swapped out the rifle for one that jammed and was made outa cheap plastic called the M16. If that's what you want to protect your life then so be it. It was a piece of shit.
I was 18 then and could not legally drink nor vote at the time (outside the Military). Didn't matter though. I don't own a gun today in my golden years, but I think it is by the grace of God that Texas bestows you the legal right to own one. Be thankful. Not sarcastic.
CP
A straight answer
Bahamas allows you to STORE firearms on your boat, provided you declare them in great detail (as well as the ammo) when passing through Customs. STORE as in kept under lock and key, and effectively nothing more than ballast.
When navigating coastal US waters, your live-aboard boat is effectively your home, and thus you have the right to keep a loaded firearm on board (assuming you are legally allowed to have the firearm at all in that jurisdiction). Just like if your house is entered by land-based law enforcement, the Coasties prefer to pre-emptively secure any weapons if they pay you a visit. It's a law enforcement thing.
Bahamas allows you to STORE firearms on your boat, provided you declare them in great detail (as well as the ammo) when passing through Customs. STORE as in kept under lock and key, and effectively nothing more than ballast.
When navigating coastal US waters, your live-aboard boat is effectively your home, and thus you have the right to keep a loaded firearm on board (assuming you are legally allowed to have the firearm at all in that jurisdiction). Just like if your house is entered by land-based law enforcement, the Coasties prefer to pre-emptively secure any weapons if they pay you a visit. It's a law enforcement thing.
Guns on boats in Canada
This is a useful link on bringing guns into Canada, on a boat or otherwise. Basic hints:
Don't bring any guns, long or short, without telling Customs; you could end up in jail and the firearm will be confiscated. Gun running is a serious problem here.
Don't even think about bringing handguns; even if you are licenced and they are declared you will not be given permission to bring them into Canada without pre-clearance, which is very hard to get. It is almost impossible for anyone to get a carry permit in Canada (except police, military etc).
No automatic weapons of any kind; they are prohibited.
I have never heard a report of a boater running into trouble in Canada that would require a gun. Best bet: leave them at home.
This is a useful link on bringing guns into Canada, on a boat or otherwise. Basic hints:
Don't bring any guns, long or short, without telling Customs; you could end up in jail and the firearm will be confiscated. Gun running is a serious problem here.
Don't even think about bringing handguns; even if you are licenced and they are declared you will not be given permission to bring them into Canada without pre-clearance, which is very hard to get. It is almost impossible for anyone to get a carry permit in Canada (except police, military etc).
No automatic weapons of any kind; they are prohibited.
I have never heard a report of a boater running into trouble in Canada that would require a gun. Best bet: leave them at home.
Bring a big flare gun!!!!!
Hey Hermit Scott,
When I sailed to the Bahamas I brought a shotgun, which was locked up in a locker with a visible lock. Ammo was boxed and additionally locked up. In West End, the Bahamian customs inspected the weapon, locker and lock and we had no issues. That was ten years ago; however, I am not certian if Bahamian laws have changed. The Bahamian Government is fair and reasonable in their dealings with US Sailors. Ditto on ICW coastal cruising. You can keep a weapon onboard in your "primary domocile", so you should have no problems. I cruised the ICW as well and never felt a threat of any kind. You will find a kinship amongst ICW cruisers sharing the same experience of adventure and exploration. If your so paranoid as to keep a gun exposed in your cockpit, then you'll loose friends on the waterway rather quickly!! Personnally, your better off with a large flare gun then a revolver, BUT if you insist on arming yourself then you might as well invest in a shotgun or the assualt weapon.
Here in Kennesaw, Georgia, its a city law, that every resident must have a firearm in their home. And I thought just Texans were nuts!!!
Bob
Hey Hermit Scott,
When I sailed to the Bahamas I brought a shotgun, which was locked up in a locker with a visible lock. Ammo was boxed and additionally locked up. In West End, the Bahamian customs inspected the weapon, locker and lock and we had no issues. That was ten years ago; however, I am not certian if Bahamian laws have changed. The Bahamian Government is fair and reasonable in their dealings with US Sailors. Ditto on ICW coastal cruising. You can keep a weapon onboard in your "primary domocile", so you should have no problems. I cruised the ICW as well and never felt a threat of any kind. You will find a kinship amongst ICW cruisers sharing the same experience of adventure and exploration. If your so paranoid as to keep a gun exposed in your cockpit, then you'll loose friends on the waterway rather quickly!! Personnally, your better off with a large flare gun then a revolver, BUT if you insist on arming yourself then you might as well invest in a shotgun or the assualt weapon.
Here in Kennesaw, Georgia, its a city law, that every resident must have a firearm in their home. And I thought just Texans were nuts!!!
Bob
Guns N Ammo
Bob I have never heard of that. I thought that was only a law in Swizerland.
Probably a lot less breaking and entering than normal.
Yes I would keep any weapons in the cabin in a lock box by the companionway.
David I am from Ohio but can't say I will be sailing there any time soon. I bought a sail boat to go further south than Texas. But thanks for the heads up about the laws. I'm sure Canada is a very safe place. In all probability I will never have to even draw a weapon. I have never had to draw one in my life , except in the infantry, but that's what the infantry does. Being ready to fight seems to deter fights. Scum tend to prey on people they perceive as weak. I don't want to be in a place where I have a high potential for confrontation. If I liked situations like that I would spend more time at my mother-in-laws.
Bob I have never heard of that. I thought that was only a law in Swizerland.
Probably a lot less breaking and entering than normal.
Yes I would keep any weapons in the cabin in a lock box by the companionway.
David I am from Ohio but can't say I will be sailing there any time soon. I bought a sail boat to go further south than Texas. But thanks for the heads up about the laws. I'm sure Canada is a very safe place. In all probability I will never have to even draw a weapon. I have never had to draw one in my life , except in the infantry, but that's what the infantry does. Being ready to fight seems to deter fights. Scum tend to prey on people they perceive as weak. I don't want to be in a place where I have a high potential for confrontation. If I liked situations like that I would spend more time at my mother-in-laws.
Scott
I will echo what some have said......call customs for the country you intend to visit (or even pass by) and find out their laws way in advance. The same holds true for different states. If you have a handgun in NYC, don't expect to plead ignorance. It wont work. I rarely ever have a weapon aboard. I'm just not that worried.
When we have family reunions they check for weapons. If you don't have one, they give you one.
Tony B
I will echo what some have said......call customs for the country you intend to visit (or even pass by) and find out their laws way in advance. The same holds true for different states. If you have a handgun in NYC, don't expect to plead ignorance. It wont work. I rarely ever have a weapon aboard. I'm just not that worried.
When we have family reunions they check for weapons. If you don't have one, they give you one.
Tony B
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