Personal firearms safety & legality

[jcherubini]

Has anyone had any bureaucratic or legal trouble with carrying (legally registered firearms) through other states and/or into the Bahamas? I am familiar with the PROPER regs but am concerned about the hearsay and especially about authorities who don't always play by the rules. Any horror stories from which you learned something pertinent? Any municipalities/regions one should just plain avoid? Or advice about how to handle it with dignity, safety and especially common sense?

I am planning a trip south through NJ, DE, MD, VA (not DC), NC, SC, GA, FL/Bahamas and will likely have a shotgun & handgun aboard. I am aware of regs (and prudence) regarding storage and security for weapons on board.

 

[Skipper]

In the U.S.

As a fomer firearms business owner, I know that keeping a legal weapon on board in the U.S. violates no laws. In the state you are visiting, if it is legal to keep in your home, then it is legal to keep loaded and ready in your:

Motorhome - when parked, unless otherwise posted

Campsite - unless otherwise posted

Place of business - if your are the property holder, or if you have permission from the property holder.

Cabin vessel

Most port authorities won't ask, but if asked by a (U.S.) law enforcement officer whether or not you have firearms on board, answer, "yes". For everyones nerve preservation, unload any weapons prior to entering a port.

I don't know about the Bahamas.

 

[Hermit Scott]

I know you have the best of intentions and you are just looking for information on what the laws are and how they are applied to real life. But your questions can not be answered in Ask All sailors because of the emotions people on here feel discussing this topic.

I asked the same question. It seems like where you need them the most they are illegal. They say if the Mexican authorities find one bullet on your boat your will end up in jail. Some Caribbean countries will hold your firearms while you are in port and return them when you leave. I believe all of them at least require you to leave them on your boat while in their country. It's not Texas down there.

 

[BrianW]

When you have a firearm permit in one state, it may, or may not be valid in another state. I was in a car convoy with a friend from Mississippi who was "packin' ". He had a valid MS permit for the weapon. He got pulled over in Virginia for speeding and disclosed to the officer that he had a weapon stored in his console. The office thanked him for his honesty and forthrightness. Then, he confiscated the weapon and cited my friend for illegal possession of firearms in VA. He explained that some states have reciprocal agreements and honor firearms permits from specific other states. VA did not have an agreement with MS. A week later, we all went to court with my friend to vouch for his character. He was found guilty of the citation, had to pay $200 AND lost his weapon in the process. Incidently he WAS speeding had to pay for that also. Lesson 1, honesty is NOT always the best policy. Lesson 2, do your research about specific state gun laws. Lesson 3, obey speed limits. BrianW

 

[Warren Milberg]

My 2 cents:
1. Don't ever lie to a law enforcement official. Getting caught can make a misdemeanor a felony.
2. Don't base your decision to carry firearms aboard your boat, or not, on anecdotal opinions.
3. Get the legal opinon in writing from the either the State Department or the embassy of the country involved, or both, and carry it with you if you go armed.

I would also wonder what the legal definition of a "firearm" is wherever I may be going. My concern would be 12 guage flare pistols, pen-gun flare shooters, and similar explosive devices.

 

[jackhartjr]

Warren...seems to me that there is one Carribean country that does not allow the 12-gauge flare guns...I can not for the life of me remember which one. Other than that I remember them not being a problem.
Jack
PS...if can get the time later I will get clarification on that.

 

[Barney Fife]

firearms legality

If your permit is issued in New Jersey, then that is the only state that will recognize it. Maybe this will help http://www.handgunlaw.us/

 

[Skipper]

"Permit"

I think there needs to be clarification here. Some are confusing state and fed laws.

Not all states require a permit to own a handgun. Background check and waiting period, yes, but not necessarily a permit. Again, if it is legal to possess in your home...(see previous post)

A permit to Carry a Concealed Weapon is different than a permit to own.

The car story is irrelevant. We are not talking about motor vehicles, aside from a motorhome, which carries additonal rights regarding residence. Also, the poster said the weapon was in the console, which may violate many states' laws and is just plain silly.

The shotgun falls under an entirely different category in many states. Maybe leave the handgun behind. This sounds anti-American, but it may relieve tension regarding diff state laws.

One poster had a great idea, get the laws in writing and carry them with you.

 

[Patrick S/V Shangra-La]

I have never had a problem with keeping a hand gun aboard my boat in the United States. I have been stopped by Customs / Homeland security told them truthfully about the gun. They called in the serial number and found the gun clean, nothing said. In most foreign countries they do not allow hand guns. Most however do allow a shot gun.

Call the Bahamian Consulate and request clarification.

A shotgun with double OO shot can be a formidable weapon out to a hundred yards or more, and in many cases can give that feeling of security, and you won't have to surrender it when you check in with customs.

 

[MoonSailer]

Most states allow the legitimate transport of firearms. Usually the firearm and the ammunition must be locked up in separate containers. In most states it is illegal to carry a loaded weapon in a car. In hunter safety it was always stressed to unload weapons before putting them into a car. Handgun laws are totally incomphrehensible in the USA.

 

[Phil Herring]

Good job keeping this non-political, so far. Keep it up!

Phil