Just don't want to see you get into trouble. Your adventure sounds risky.
Fair enough.
I don't think it's as risky as it might sound. I just want to make sure I'm prepared just in case. I've lived on the ocean since '91 and have gone out on other people's boats, but this will be the first time I've done this kind of stuff on my own locally. I've done kayaking and rafting in the mountains both East and West, but never locally despite living on the water for quite a while.
Gators scare me as I find them unpredictable. I wasn't sure if I was overreacting by thinking about bringing a gun on a rowing trip. I tended to think I was. I am somewhat pleasantly surprised to learn that I actually wasn't overreacting by entertaining the idea. It means that I'm not crazy.
I view this as a chance to buy another gun, your "kayaking" gun. Good choice on alternate exercise, my advice would be to watch a video or read a kayaking book to get the basics of the stroke down, get a good paddle, always bring the safety equipment you already bought, and have fun! And check the weather before you go!
I was thinking the same thing. "Well, I can't bring any of my current guns with me.... they're not really 'kayaking guns'". Oh darn..... I'll just have to buy another one for this activity.
I went to a West Marine today and looked for a book. I also got the few extra things I didn't realize I needed under law (apparently I need a fire extinguisher on board even though I won't have a motor). Didn't find a good book though, but it was a small store. I'll check a larger one farther out tomorrow.
The only reasons I can see for going unarmed is because you are going rowing in a courthouse or while voting in a government election,
If that mountain in the canary islands collapses like they're saying it eventually will - that will be the case.
Like I said, I have nothing against bringing a gun with me as that has been my daily routine for the last 2 years or so. So, now that I see that I actually wasn't overreacting by thinking about it, I'll be sure to do so. If nothing else, as mentioned before, it's a great excuse to buy a new gun.
---------- Edited to add ---------
Unfortunately, this whole activity has been put on hold as of today. I woke up this morning in a lot of pain related to an injury sustained during that bike accident. Turned out I had to have surgery this afternoon as there was a massive infection inside my leg (amazing how something as simple as falling off a bike can turn into multiple medical problems so fast and rack up a bill). So, now I'm supposed to wait until this heals before I can risk ending up in the water.
In the meantime, I can research a kayaking gun. I'm thinking something along the lines of some type of revolver. Maybe the new 4" 10mm S&W model 610 revolver that also can use .40SW ammo. I've been itching for an excuse to buy one. Or the 6" version. If 10mm wouldn't be enough handgun for potential wildlife issues, I don't know what would be.
I still need to research the laws though on this. I know I've satisfied all coast guard requirements for safety stuff, and I now know that I need to go to the DMV (even though my boat has no motor) to get a registration number (pretty stupid IMO that I have to register an inflatable canoe/kayak). However, carrying on a boat I don't know about. To my knowledge, open carry is allowed when fishing, but I won't be fishing. I would imagine it's legal to have a gun on a boat, especially when you have a CWP, but I need to check first. I also need to check wildlife laws.
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