Firearms on boats

HawkX66

HawkX66

Well-Known Member
Jul 27, 2020
1,344
SE Virginia and NH
Boat Info
"Tread Knot"
1997 Sea Ray Sundancer 290DA

2020 F350 6.7L
Engines
454 L29 Carb w/ Bravo III
What are the rules regarding firearms on boats? Libs need not reply with their opinions.
Is it still a state to state issue? What about the Coasties and boarding etc.
 
It depends on your location.
 
Timeflys said:
Quite an active topic over the years and lots of debate and opinion:

http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/guns-on-your-boat.76936/

That should keep you busy for a while.
Click to expand...
I had looked at that thread. Mostly a waste of time. Opinions don't help much. Not looking for a debate of why I need or want one. It's nobody's business.
I'm in Southern VA, but have a house on the coast in NH. I could see me boating in at least VA, NC, NH, MA, ME. I doubt other states, but anything is possible. VA will be the norm.
 
  1. MA, NY, MD, all danger zones for our second amendment rights.
 
Go get a concealed carry permit for your state and its legal to carry in most other states, of course not NY don't think anything is legal with guns there!
 
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Not a legal expert, but always thought States have the responsibility for enacting gun laws. Then you have cities like Chicago and New York that establish local laws.
 
I have been boarded by Coast Guard twice. Once in the southeast, the other time in the northwest near the San Juan Islands. In both cases there was an immediate, forceful interrogation regarding if there were firearms on board and where any were located (specifically) on the boat.
 
I have a conceal carry permit in Wisconsin and I cannot carry in any of my bordering states. Mn,Ill or Mich. I was boarded once by the coast guard on Lake Michigan. The first thing they asked was if I have firearms on board. (I didn’t which is rare) they were very friendly and professional. I never felt like I was being interrogated.
 
I have a CCW for PA and can carry in all surrounding states except NY, DE and NJ I believe. I am in western PA so most of my out of state travel is WV and Ohio so I'm good there.
 
HawkX66 said:
I had looked at that thread. Mostly a waste of time. Opinions don't help much. Not looking for a debate of why I need or want one. It's nobody's business.
Click to expand...
I was going to add some information to your current thread, but that thread that Timeflys linked to actually pretty much covers it all. Maybe you read through it too quickly? If you're in a particular state's waters, it's like a car and the same rules would hold true if you are just "passing through". You have to look at what states have reciprocity with yours or what states have permitless carry.
 
Ok. So it sounds like for state purposes the ccw and reciprocity agreements are what drive everything.
Now for the coasties. They board you and question you about firearms. What laws are they supposedly enforcing? They aren't military, but they are Federal. It doesn't seem like they would have jurisdiction or authority to enforce state laws.
 
HawkX66 said:
Ok. So it sounds like for state purposes the ccw and reciprocity agreements are what drive everything.
Now for the coasties. They board you and question you about firearms. What laws are they supposedly enforcing? They aren't military, but they are Federal. It doesn't seem like they would have jurisdiction or authority to enforce state laws.
Click to expand...
My understanding is that they don’t necessarily enforce the state law but are familiar with it. If they board a boat and spot a state violation they officially have the authority to detain that person until local police arrive. Keep in mind this is within the context of boating and boating safety.
 
I would not worry about it at all. I carry when aboard in CA and don't leave the state by boat but I would just have it stashed very well when cruising in an area that I would be exposed to a boarding. Unless you are boarded for cause other than a routine safety check, they are not going to toss your boat looking for weapons. If by chance they did happen on to it just use the old, 'That's where I left it' excuse. When I was last boarded I was asked if I had a fire arm and I asked if they wanted see it. They said they only needed to know where it was for their safety.
Carpe Diem
 
Does a 'yacht' fit the definition of house as it pertains to gun laws?

Funny story, my daughter took a Utah CCW course to get her Utah permit so it would be accepted in many states. She paid $75 for the class then I think another $75 or so for the permit. Shortly after a bunch of states reached a reciprocity agreement with PA so she didn't need it anyway.
 
I've had CCWs in several states for better than 25 years. I still have one currently and try to stay "legal" in the eyes of the law; however, I carry under the 2nd Amendment. I'm not really worried about all the ignorant unreasonable "laws" that are put in place to make morons comfortable. They won't be there to help protect my family if, God forbid, it comes to that. I've been shot at. It's bad enough in and of itself. Without being able to return fire the feeling is completely on another level. I just want to know for my own edification and to avoid any issues if possible. Thanks for all the replies gents. They've been very helpful.
 
I fall under HR218 all states former LEO I think it would be a tough battle to explain in a lot of states that your “carrying”. Well the states on the coasts it seems.
Edit: as stated I wouldn’t offer any info if I had one unless that’s why their there.
 
I use to fall under HR218 (LEOSA) but left at the end of 2010 so no longer applies to me. And I didn't retire so still doesn't apply...lol. But yeah there was a PA State Constable that was picked up in NY shortly after HR218 went into effect and spent the weekend in jail until they could get ahold of PCCD (Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency) on Monday morning to verify he was eligible under HR218. I only know he was released and not charged, not sure if there was any legal action against NY over it.
 
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