Is it legal to carry in International waters?

[gamestalker]

We often hear horror stories of people who sail the open sea getting pirated. So I've always wondered if it's legal to carry a couple self defense weapons and a small but adequate amount of self dense ammunition for this purpose. I'm not talking about a boat full of arms and ammunition intended for sale on some other continent, just a few for self defense.

GS

 

[Sol]

Somali pirates? Talk to a maritime/admirality lawyer. Wouldn't want to break any international treaties or laws would ya?

 

[erh]

It is not illegal to carry firearms iin Int'l. waters..
What one must consider is whether or not it is legal to bring
those same firearms into whatever Country/ Port you must enter later..

 

[Red Wind]

^It used to be so much easier in the 1600's.

 

[JohnM]

Out in international waters you're fine, but eventually you have to enter the waters controlled by some country.
There are a number that you do NOT want to have weapons found aboard!

 

[Robbins290]

So if i go into international waters from the us. And only go back to the us? Would that be ok? I live in maine and sometimes travel over 6 miles out fishing.

 

[JohnM]

6 miles? You haven't even left US territorial waters yet.

 

[Willie Sutton]

12 mile limit is the territorial water. 200 miles is the exclusive economic zone. You can carry a firearm out past 12 miles and come home to port in the USA without any problem at all.


Willie

(Who lives on a boat 5 months a year doing international travel, and is always armed).

.

 

[gamestalker]

I figured as much when leaving international waters and entering into another country in port. But I was just curious about the time spent out in the high seas, if in fact it was legal to carry.

Thanks!

GS

 

[Art Eatman]

FWIW, I've never heard of nor read of anybody who ever was hassled for firearms on board a boat in the Gulf of Mexico, for those who are out of and back into a local port.

 

[barnbwt]

I have heard of ships carrying arms that are dumped at sea prior to docking because they cannot be carried into port; probably not a palatable option for us enthusiasts. I suppose it'd be a last resort if you absolutely had to dock in Mexico or Canada (in an emergency or something, it may be easier than dealing with the import process)

I also wouldn't worry too much about Somali pirates off the coast of Maine

TCB

 

[Robbins290]

I always thought the border was 2 miles. Not sure where i heard that. So i guess i dont have anything to worry about. I wasnt worried untill i saw this post.

 

[Match14]

I suppose buying a couple high point carbines or whatever cheap then dumping them before pulling in a foreign ports isnt a bad idea. You've got to look at how much a voyage from say the US to South Africa would cost, that extra $500-600 for security is a small drop in the bucket

 

[BSA1]

Out in international waters you're fine, but eventually you have to enter the waters controlled by some country. There are a number that you do NOT want to have weapons found aboard!

The South China Sea would be at the top of my list. China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan all claim control of parts of it with China claiming just about all of it.

 

[JohnM]

There are British controlled waters in the Caribbean where you most definitely do not want to be caught with a firearm aboard your vessel.

 

[pjeski]

I suppose buying a couple high point carbines or whatever cheap then dumping them before pulling in a foreign ports isnt a bad idea. You've got to look at how much a voyage from say the US to South Africa would cost, that extra $500-600 for security is a small drop in the bucket

Then what for the return trip?

 

[Willie Sutton]

"There are British controlled waters in the Caribbean where you most definitely do not want to be caught with a firearm aboard your vessel."


Really? Citation please?

(bearing in mind two things: First, that Great Britain has given up all of it's former colonies in the Caribbean, and second that I call at ports all thru the Caribbean including former British colonies, deal with Customs in many places, always armed and always complying with the local laws, and have never had any difficulties because I research beforehand the laws, and am prepared when I am met by customs).

(Further noting that the OP was not asking about foreign territorial waters, but only about international waters, which by definition are extra-territorial to all nations).




Willie

.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

"There are British controlled waters in the Caribbean where you most definitely do not want to be caught with a firearm aboard your vessel."


Really? Citation please?

(bearing in mind two things: First, that Great Britain has given up all of it's former colonies in the Caribbean, and second that I call at ports all thru the Caribbean including former British colonies, deal with Customs in many places, always armed and always complying with the local laws, and have never had any difficulties because I research beforehand the laws, and am prepared when I am met by customs).

(Further noting that the OP was not asking about foreign territorial waters, but only about international waters, which by definition are extra-territorial to all nations).




Willie

.

Errr...the UK still has several overseas territories in the Caribbean and nearby: Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. That said, I have no idea what firearms laws are in force in these territories.

 

[Art Eatman]

Gettin' driftier than need be.