[Atticus]

Anyone know the laws regarding the transportation of defensive firearms on private boats traveling… say from Ohio to Seattle - via the Ohio River-Mississippi River- Gulf of Mexico- Panama Canal - Pacific? Or the Carribean? Do state laws extend to river traffic? What about stopping in various ports once in international water? I’m not planning a trip any time soon ..but ya gotta have a dream.

[XLMiguel]

It is my understanding that, in general, if you're living on the boat, it is your home, and if you're allowed own the type of firearm(s) you have on your boat in that state, you're cool. (I am not a lawyer, so perhaps a stop at www.packing.org would be in order, or a call to the state AG's office to verify). What is most likely to vary is how accessible it can be, i.e. must it be unloaded in a locked case or is just a holster in a secure place OK?

Being armed on an extended voyage is a good idea (assuming you're otherwise legal), in that marine police don't respond to 9-1-1 and it may take a while for them to find you in the dark up some creek that you don't know the name of.

A few years back I had taken my wife and a bunch of her friends sailing. We anchored for lunch on a creek that was a popular anchorage. It wasn't long before a couple of semi-drunk ding-dongs in a Donzi noticed the kharmic unfairness of a fugly dude like me with five attractive ladies and them with none, so they motored over and wanted to join the party. We waved politely and otherwise ignored themt he first time or so they cruised by, but they wanted to come along side, and were politely informed that it was a private party and have a nice day. They heard 'party' and decided they had to be there, and turned to get closer. I went below and grabbed the flare gun (12 ga.), stuck it in the back of my waistband and came back up as they were pulling along side, and sent my wife below to radio the DNR (marine police).

I again told the dummies that it was a private party and that they were intruding, but they grabbed my boat and told me to 'chill' and 'the more the merrier'. At that point I aimed the flaregun at the center of their cockpit and asked just what the F*** they thought they were doing and that if they didn't want a flare in the cockpit, they needed to leave RIGHT NOW! I got a bunch of attitude and cussing, but they left. The marine police never did show up. I would have preferred my 1911 to the flaregun, but what the hey, they left.

Lesson learned: You're on your own on the water

[TheeBadOne]

Mike you can always count on a drunk or two to show up where ever your having fun. Glad it worked out for you.

[BamBam]

Atticus,

We go shooting all the time on the Mississippi River near Memphis. I asked the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency what the law was pertaining to this. I was told that as long as we practiced safe shooting it was fine. We have never had any trouble.

The Coad Guard may have more info on your specific situation:

http://www.uscg.mil/uscg.shtm

[Bruce in West Oz]

I believe that if you bring a firearm into an Australian port, regardless of whether you hold it legally or not in your home port, it will be taken from you and "stored" by the authorities until you leave.

Conversely, an Aussie wanting to sail round the world and purchase a firearm for self-protection is not permitted to do so, by law, as self-protection is expressly excluded as a valid reason for issuing a firearms licence. :banghead:

Bruce

[Atticus]

Bruce: From the way things seem to being going down under...I'll probably have your Navy outgunned by that time anyway!:neener: Molon Labe Mates!!!

[Bruce in West Oz]

Bruce: From the way things seem to being going down under...I'll probably have your Navy outgunned by that time anyway!

Wouldn't be hard :evil:

Although, the USS Abraham Lincoln is anchored just a kilometre or so off the coast in Gage Roads at the moment. (Too large to get into the harbour.)

Sometimes it's good to have big friends! :D

Bruce

[Gordon]

Well I'll find out the answer soon. I helped a friend assemble a stainless and waterproof cache hidden well in several places on his 50+foot ketch he's taking from San Fran. down to as far down south american coast as he can get. He's got: Stainless Rem 870 Marine 12ga., Ruger 10-22 stainless, Ruger sp101 .357 stainless, and 30-30 Marlin stainless with scope. We were gonna take AR-15 and Fn fal but decided the other stuff was more explainable ,and adaquate for his needs-think about it.:D

[Peter Gun]

Gordon-
I think you need to rethink that load. Central and south american countries are very anti gun. Just like our coast guard, their officers can board your boat in their waters any time they want. If they find guns they will confiscate them and the boat, and there isn't much due process to get either back. I would make sure that hiding place is unbeleivably clever. Remember they will be looking for drug stashes, so they'll be pretty thorough. However, if you keep them that well hidden, they are going to be hard to get to when you need them. I would consider taking a much smaller complement that is easier to stash and unstash.
BTW the most common way pirates approach your boat according to Boat US (a boat owners association, insurance co, and retailer) is in a insignificant looking little boat begging for fuel for their empty tank. Then they get out the guns while you have your head in a locker or a fast vice boat comes up on you while your not paying attention. Be warned!
I've always felt a shotgun or two w/ a variety of ammo (slugs, buckshot, incidiary) is the best pirate defense, unless you have deck mounted .50's.:)
Another common method I've heard from Carribean (sp?) cruisers is they will go around anchorages tapping on the hulls to see if anyones aboard. If no noise, they board. So if you here that, I'm sure a shotgun racking will be an ideal response!

[Gordon]

Except for sp101 the other hiding places were "unbelievably clever" involved stainless welding and electro selenoids , remember I am diesel fuel injection mechanic. This guy has the bucks and paid me well. He doesnt have the profile of a smuggler and has been to S.A. before and never had any police do more than a walk around inspection and flash light into hold in some nasty country down there IN PORTS. Never saw anybody in moorings he says. Anyway he is gone already in Sea of Cortez and sending SAT e-mail. This guy and girl friend are nasty senior black belts, I helped on gun selection but they know how to shoot well. :cool: