firearms aboard your boat

seafox 257

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 24, 2007
Messages
40
does anybody carry a firearm aboard your boat? just curious, I go out fishing in the gulf usually 7-20 miles offshore and I most always have a firearm with me. just wondering if the law differs offshore because of the coast guard any help would be great thanks! also I live in florida
 

SgtMaj

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 19, 2007
Messages
1,997
Re: firearms aboard your boat

I wouldn't go offshore without one, or at the very least, a fake one that could scare someone off.
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,195
Re: firearms aboard your boat

I dunno about the fake one. That could be worse than no weapon at all. If somebody points a gun at me, fake or not, I will assume he is going to shoot me. Then I will retreat.....or shoot back--first!
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: firearms aboard your boat

i sent this question the the Coast Guard, here in Jacksonville, a while back when this subject came up. also to the State. i have recieved no answer from either.

I would not be there without a way to protect myself, and my property.
 

aspeck

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
May 29, 2003
Messages
18,588
Re: firearms aboard your boat

Don't know about offshore, but on our lake I usually have one ... snakes and pesky critters take warning. And during hunting season, there is ALWAYS several on board! :D
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: firearms aboard your boat

i don't even own a weapon. but if i thought was gonna go out on the salt pond. i think i might seriously consider obtaining one. there's just too many crazy folks in the world today and it's not like ya can just call 911 when yer out a long ways. even the boating i do i've considered it. the missouri river can be real lonely when i'm camping on the riverbank. might not see a boat for hours on end...... no police there either...... i've no idea what the rules are. but i'd think as an american with the right to bear arms. that'd be, end of story. as for the costies, bet they assume yer armed when approaching any vessel......

i don't think the fake weapon idea is the way to go either, sorry sgtmag. this day and age, just the sign of a weapon, might initieate someone with a real weapon to lock and load...... which is moments from an incident......
 

angler53

Seaman
Joined
Sep 9, 2007
Messages
74
Re: firearms aboard your boat

I'm in Alabummer. A few weeks ago I was next to a couple of guys with a patrol boat at the filling station. I ask them about this. The Alabama fish and game guy said no problem as long as I have a concealed weapons permit. The other guy was a marine patrol officer with the Army Corp of engineers. He spoke up and said if I were in corp controlled waters (ie: Lake Eufaula), I will be arrested and taken to jail if I'm carrying a firearm on the boat, permitted or not.
 

Drowned Rat

Captain
Joined
Jan 20, 2004
Messages
3,070
Re: firearms aboard your boat

Obviously it's not against the law to carry a weapon offshore. If boarded, the Coast Guard will ask if you have any weapons on board. They will insist on taking control of the weapon no matter how you have it secured. They will give it back to you unloaded and "safe". Occasionally they will run serial numbers to verify ownership (or at lease verify it's not stolen or been used in a crime) and if it's an illegal weapon or you are an illegal owner, they will keep it.

The only people that ever gave me a hard time about this were cops. They never wanted to give up their weapons and would argue till they were blue in the face. They always gave in when they finally realized we weren't going to leave.
 

guy74

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 12, 2007
Messages
794
Re: firearms aboard your boat

Here is some regulations to look at.
Places with Federal Restrictions on Firearms? Last Updated 12/17/07
1. Federal Courthouses*
2. Federal Buildings*
3. Any Building Owed, Leased or Rented by the Federal Government. This includes buildings in National Forests that are property of the Federal Government. There is no Federal Law that prohibits carry in National Forests. States control the carrying of firearms in National Forests in their state.
4. Federal Prisons*
5. National Parks*
6. U.S. Army Corp of Engineers* The Corp builds and runs flood control and navigation Dams.
The Dam and grounds around the dam are Federal Property. Many State Parks are found around
the Lakes and rivers Corps Dams form. The boundary between Corp Property and State
Property is not clearly marked. There are also boundary lines in the lake between State and Federal
waters. It is up to you to know these boundaries.
7. National Cemeteries*
8. Military Bases (Carry not allowed but some have shooting clubs. You can take firearms onto the Base to shoot. Check at each Military Post for specific rules on Shooting Clubs)
9. Rented Offices, Any part of any building that the Federal Government has rented for Office space or work force etc. Just their offices or the part of the building they have control over. You can carry in the rest of the building if state or local laws allow.
10. **Designated Federal Entity* – As listed below. These Agencies are a dark area in Federal Law that I can not find any information about their Offices/Buildings/Parking Lots and if they are covered under the same laws as Federal Buildings. I have found in their Rules and Regulations that firearms are not permitted on their premises. So they all have their own Regulations about carrying on their premises.
11. Amtrak* Amtrak has its own rules that state: Items not allowed in Carry On or Checked Baggage,. Any type of gun, firearm, ammunition, explosives, or weapon. Large, sharp objects such as axes, ice picks and swords. Corrosive or dangerous chemicals such as tear gas, mace,
12. Post Office?* Each states law is different. In some states, Post Office carry is restricted by the state, in others it’s not. If it’s not restricted by the state, Title 18, United States Code, Sec. 930 applies.
13. Bureau of Land Management* If you can legally carry in the state the BLM land is in you can carry on the BLM land. If it is not legal the area will most likely be posted as no firearms allowed.
Any building on the BLM land operated by the federal government is considered federal property and carry in those buildings is not allowed.
14. Indian Reservations Carry on Indian property is controlled by Tribal Law. You must check with each tribe before carrying on their property. Some Indian Tribes consider federal and state highways through their property as under their control.
 

Expidia

Commander
Joined
Aug 26, 2006
Messages
2,328
Re: firearms aboard your boat

Interesting question. I know when two friends of mine who own two boats in the 50 foot range when they go from Fort Lauderdale FL to Bimini in the Bahamas they both have what look to be assault rifles on board to fend off Pirates :eek:

One wonders if the trip over can be that dangerous why would anyone want to do it. Certainly, not chicken me :D

What was that movie where this guy boarded this boat and terrorized the two people on it :confused: after seeing that movie that was the end of any future island hopping excursions on a private boat all alone out there on the high seas.

I'll fly or take a cruise liner to the Bahamas and meet up with them in the Marina!
 

PrplGld

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 7, 2005
Messages
123
Re: firearms aboard your boat

The Alabama fish and game guy said no problem as long as I have a concealed weapons permit. The other guy was a marine patrol officer with the Army Corp of engineers. He spoke up and said if I were in corp controlled waters (ie: Lake Eufaula), I will be arrested and taken to jail if I'm carrying a firearm on the boat, permitted or not.

The concealed carry permit only deals with concealing a weapon on your person (ie in your clothing), nothing to do with a car, boat, etc. The other guy probly was lying to you about being a cop, judging by what he said. A boat is like your car, an extension of your home. Sounds like those two were pulling your leg.

As long as the weapon you're carrying is allowed under local laws then storing it in your boat should be the same as keeping it in your car or home.
 

crb478

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 6, 2006
Messages
1,036
Re: firearms aboard your boat

The concealed carry permit only deals with concealing a weapon on your person (ie in your clothing), nothing to do with a car, boat, etc. The other guy probly was lying to you about being a cop, judging by what he said. A boat is like your car, an extension of your home. Sounds like those two were pulling your leg.

As long as the weapon you're carrying is allowed under local laws then storing it in your boat should be the same as keeping it in your car or home.

From my perspective this is mostly true, but with a boat or a car being mobile, they are not an extension of your home, and can be "frisk" for weapons without a warrant if articulable reasonable suspicison exist. A home would require a search warrant in the same situation.

In NC you would need either a concealed carry permit to carry it on your person or it would either need to be in a locked container or somewhere else that is out of your lung area. It could also be in plain view as long as it was not being pointed at anyone or used to imtimidate anyone. On Federal lands or state parks, basically they are not allowed with a few exceptions.

Each state has different laws and you have to comply with each state. The vast majority of people who carry guns do so with out ever bringing attention to themselves or anyone knowing. If you are approached by any Law Enforcement Officers I would volunteer that I have a weapon and let them secure it. If you possess it legally you should get it back when they leave and you have already established that you are not hiding anything from them.
 

arks

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 7, 2002
Messages
1,929
Re: firearms aboard your boat

For offshore bluewater mariners carrying a weapon onboard makes perfect sense, but is it really necessary for inland and near-coastal waters in the US? IMO there's more potential trouble from law enforcement than criminals.

For the last year or so I've been carrying OC spray (on and off the boat) to protect myself from someone who may want to inflict harm. It's legal just about everywhere and would allow me enough time to get away from the situation without resorting to deadly force. I like the Kimber "Guardian Angel" because it's got 2 shots and is effective over 10'. Every member of my family carries one.

QUOTE (Expidia): What was that movie where this guy boarded this boat and terrorized the two people on it :confused:


"Dead Calm" starring Sam Neill, Nicole Kidman and Billy Zane. Good flick!
 

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Expidia

Commander
Joined
Aug 26, 2006
Messages
2,328
Re: firearms aboard your boat

Ya that was it . . . Dead Calm . . . thx

After seeing that I would not entertain any invites to Bimini.

Having a weapon on a local boat is a joke. Only will invite an accident as some kid or a drunk on board blows someone away, IMO.

My family carries pepper spray. They are available at gun shops for about $5 each around my area.
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: firearms aboard your boat

Federal law always trumps state and local. If an area is indeed federal land and is posted "no firearms", they mean it. On person, or not, doesn't matter.

`
 

SpinnerBait_Nut

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 25, 2002
Messages
17,651
Re: firearms aboard your boat

Please elaborate.
LSUFan, I think what he meant was trouble as in you are not suppose to have it and the find it.

Offshore, maybe. Don't know, I don't go there.
Not around here as most waters are Federal and the say no to firearms on land or water.
 

arks

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 7, 2002
Messages
1,929
Re: firearms aboard your boat

Well, that's true, but here's the real reason:
Because the laws vary so much from state to state, and even town to town.
Example: Here on the Chesapeake, Virginia is one of the most gun-friendly states, but Maryland is not.
Example: You have a carry permit for Virginia (or Fl or Pa) and decide to carry your gun while boating. If for some reason you are boarded by the Maryland DNR police, your permit would not recognized by Maryland and you'd promptly be cuffed and jailed for illegal carry. Lawyers and money would get you out, but it wouldn't be pretty.
To add insult to injury, after an incident like that, you'd probably lose any carry privledges you have from other states because you would've been charged with a felony!. It's sort of a catch-22.
 

PrplGld

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 7, 2005
Messages
123
Re: firearms aboard your boat

From my perspective this is mostly true, but with a boat or a car being mobile, they are not an extension of your home, and can be "frisk" for weapons without a warrant if articulable reasonable suspicison exist. A home would require a search warrant in the same situation.

The term "frisk" refers to a safety check of a person for officer safety, a car/boat cannot be frisked.

I think the topic of the thread was on the legality of keeping legal firearms on your boat, so that doesn't apply. Generally, a moving boat/car can be searched with probable cause to believe that an illegal firearm or other contraband is present, not on reasonable suspicion (there's a difference). I was speaking on the general premise that a boat/car not suspected of containing contraband is secure, as an extension of your home.

To sum it up what I'm saying: an otherwise legal firearm stored in a closed storage area in a boat is not the same as keeping the firearm concealed on your person or in your clothing. In Louisiana, state law specifically forbids the concealing of a weapon on one's person.
 
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