weapons on boat

[Yellowjeepman]

I have only traveled in southern U.S. Waters. If I decide to sail over to the Bahamas do I need to not travel without my weapons. I am a retired Police Officer and avid target shooter, plus if I am boarded by other than the Authorities I will protect my wife and myself. Are all the areas off limits to having weapons aboard. I was told by several that the Bahamas are a no-no for having weapons aboard. I am sure a Bahamian jail would not be a very comfortable place to stay.

 

[Jackdaw]

http://www.thecoastalpassage.com/guns_aboard.html

 

[Yellowjeepman]

Thank you "Jackdaw" ! You covered it all. I appreciate the great info
Thanks again,
Frank

 

[RichH]

It must be a new rule in the Bahamas, but since 2014 youre only allowed to arrive with 100 rounds of ammo with you. Other than that all you have to do in the Bahamas is declare the firearm (serial number) and the ammunition count, thats it.
You will definitely want a firearm onboard in Nassau or Freetown/Lucaya.

FWIW - if boarded by the USCG enroute during your return, the CG will -off the record- advise to have the firearm loaded.

 

[Ron20324]

If you read Jack's link, it's very well done, but you'll see numerous "things could change" disclaimers- even in the very first paragraph. You'd be best to check with the govenment of where you will sail, shorlty before you go there, and keep a record of the the source. "The man" ain't gonna go for "I read it on line", or "other sailors said...". CYOA with facts, not opinions or rumors. My 2 cents.

 

[RichH]

http://www.bahamas.com/boating-enter-exit

scroll down to about paragraph #4 - weapons (no mention of ammunition limits).

 

[Benny17441]

Now those may be the laws for entering weapons into these countries but understand there is a separate set laws governing their use within their territorial domain. In most cases the use of lethal force requires more justification than the fact that you may have feared for your life. Anything short of the assailant being armed and having credible witnesses on your side may not easily clear you. I feel perfectly safe in the Bahamas and have never felt the needs to carry weapons. It is a matter of using common sense, do not flash cash or jewelry, don't get drunk and wander streets at night, put a lock and key on anything you leave on deck, leave lights and a radio on when you leave boat and preferably dock at a nice marina as opposed to anchoring out and using a dinguie into town. There is a higher incidence of petty crimes in the Islands but these thieves do not want to hurt you, they will usually flee when confronted and they know that as long as they do not hurt you that their chances of being pursued and caught are slim. Be courteous and friendly to the locals, blend in an you'll be fine. Never had any problems crossing the Gulf Stream. The USCG by arrangement patrols Bahamian waters by air and sea farther than 200nm away from the US coast . They are usually no farther away than a VHF radio call. I grew up in the Caribbean and around these islands and feel comfortable in them. From time to time you get a druggie panhandling just engage him in conversation and give him a couple of dollars and send him on his way. Leave your guns at home and enjoy your trip.

 

[Claude L.-Auger]

Amen to that Benny. I have sailed in and out of the Bahamas many times and sailed to Bermuda as well as to many of the Caribbean islands. Never carried a gun (other than a flare gun). Always used good common sense and never had any problems. Lucky ? Maybe ! But I still wonder if Sir Peter Blake would still be alive if he had not shot and likely injured of the bandits that boarded his anchored vessel in the Amazon. Everyone else on board is ! My 2 cents FWIW !

 

[rgranger]

Not as effective but better than nothing...

 

[Yellowjeepman]

Thank you everyone for you advice. I appreciate it all. As usual, I get great advice from all on this site
thanks again,
Frank
patriotsway34@gmail.com

 

[Bill Roosa]

There are several other options
Home depot has a 10 PSI propane pressure regulator that is intended for supplying a "grass/weed burner" could use that for repelling boarders
There are some plans on the Internet for high volume sound producing devices for dissuading would be boarders.......
You do not HAVE to use lead (although it is very effective).
Spear guns are not heavily regulated.....
Dingy oars are completely unregulated.......

FWIW

 

[WayneH]

The best advice I've heard was to carry Wasp/Hornet Spray. These deliver a solid stream of eye-burning, nose-running pain up to 20 feet. Plus it kills wasps and hornets. And you can resupply in most ports. What's not to like?

The Admiral just mentioned that the addition of a Bic lighter increases the deterrence level. oh, nasty.

 

[EmeraldBay]

We're going cruising with our two dogs. Very noisy and would make most people think twice. A farmer friend recommended a nail gun. We don't do the weapon thing in the UK, unless you're chasing furry animals, and we dont even have any dangerous ones of them. Also, amazing what you can do with a rope.

 

[Skipper]

Dingy oars are completely unregulated....... FWIW

As are Lewmar 10" (11"loa) 2.5 lb chrome winch handles. A weapon often overlooked, and yet readily at hand on deck.

There are also Czech and Polish military surplus 26mm flare guns that you can get for about the same price as a cheapy plastic 12g gun from WM. Flares are avail too but will expired, however I just carry regular hand flares for compliance, and use the pistol as the arial signal device, or backup. It's a real flare gun, with military ammo.

Anyway, there are conversion kits to make them into 45LC and .22 single shot pistols. Stow the conversion kit in the junk parts box, nobody will know what it is. Then use it in dire emergency, which will never happen but if it does then you can fire back and send him a .45 caliber missile, IE the villain is in your cabin and about to murder you. And you never had to worry about being arrested in foreign ports.

 

[rgranger]

The Admiral just mentioned that the addition of a Bic lighter increases the deterrence level. oh, nasty.

 

[CarlN]

Geez.

I CAN FIND NO REPORTS OF CRUISERS EVER BEING ATTACKED ON THEIR BOATS IN THE BAHAMAS. If you can find one, please post it.

Yes, I've read you can get mugged walking the streets at night in Nassau (but only Nassau - this just doesn't happen in Abacos or Exumas). But you aren't going to be walking around Nassau with hornet spray in your hand, are you?

And yes, something can get stolen off your boat (but again, I've only read of this happening in Nassau. I don't personally know any cruiser who has been robbed in the Bahamas).

But if you think a Bahamian is trying to steal your dinghy and you shoot them or blind them with wasp spray - you ARE going to be arrested, the lawyer will cost you much more than a new
dinghy, and you will need some luck to avoid jail.

 

[Stu Jackson]

WTF is it with boys and their guns?

I gave up six shooters when I was eight.

Go find a cave in Montana if you wanna be a survival freak.

And don't go into Nassau, any real cruiser will tell you that.

 

[Caboteur]

I agree with Stu,
Except for Nassau; don't give the city a bad name, I've stayed there both in a marina and at anchor. I find it a "safe" place for a large city with juxtaposed poverty and wealth. No worse than many US cities on the eastern seaboard.
The rest of the Bahamas are as safe as any small town in the US. I've heard cruisers on the radio blaring about their "stolen" dinghy only to have another cruiser bring it back after finding it floating around with an untied painter!!!
Most Bahamians are friendly and helpful and can be befriended with complete confidence.
Pierre

 

[RichH]

The typical 'guns are bad' devolution of any thread involving firearms .....

Guys and girls, the original post was not about defending oneself against hordes of barbarians storming the decks of a boat to rob plunder rape and murder ... thats for some US city folk to consider. Sorry to say many of the comments now being posted are simply 'imaginary'.
FWIW - in 2014 there were SEVERAL murders of US boaters in Nassau and in Bimini ... and inside 'protected' marinas.
FWIW - In Nassau and Freeport/Lucaya (homicide rates almost equal to that of "Jamaica" or Trinidad), increasingly to enter a simple retail store one must be visually approved and then 'locked-in' to enter; many marinas there increasingly have armed guards -- but that wasnt the original question; but, you can draw your own conclusions.

Many folks are target shooters, in many places such is still a valid legal pastime pursuit.
The original query was simply the legality of having a LAWFUL firearm on board and what are the correct and legal requirements of entry to the Bahamas with a legal firearm. There are several (private) shooting ranges in the Bahamas.

 

[Caboteur]

RicH
Such important information must be supported to be credible!!!
Pierre