Bahamian government confiscating guns?

missnmountains

missnmountains

Active Member
Dec 12, 2007
560
Florida
Boat Info
2008 58 Sedan Bridge
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900 Man
From "Bahamas Chatter", I heard that the Bahamian Government will be confiscating guns on pleasure craft when checking in and returning them upon departure.

Has anyone confirmed this yet?

Secondly, I would be curious how they will be able to inventory and properly return them?

Please don't make this a debate on whether or not to carry a gun.

Thanks

Ken
 
I can't confirm or deny.....but,
Easy to fix....if we stop going to the Bahamas, they will change the policy.

Don
 
Southpaw II said:
I can't confirm or deny.....but,
Easy to fix....if we stop going to the Bahamas, they will change the policy.

Don
Click to expand...

That would only work if all of the boat tourists carried guns. My guess is that it's a small percentage and their loss would be minimal. They have a problem with drugs and guns especially on Nassau and they don't want them getting into the wrong hands. It's not a "rights" issue....they're trying to keep the crime down and the islands safe.
 
Tonka, I know when we go to the Bahamas there are 80% of the people carry guns on board their boats. I think you are under estimating the percentages who carry guns when crossing the stream.
 
trit21 said:
Tonka, I know when we go to the Bahamas there are 80% of the people carry guns on board their boats. I think you are under estimating the percentages who carry guns when crossing the stream.
Click to expand...

I guess I am.....I wasn't considering the number of people who spend a significant amount of time cruising.
 
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Ah yes the 'ol "deter crime/violence by disarming law abiding citizens" routine. Don't know much about this particular case, but I can tell you it works wonders in very peaceful crime free places like DC.
 
After more consideration and reading the posts at THT I agree that I would like to keep my gun with me for protection. I think a better way for them to handle it would be to require registering the gun upon entry and not allow it on land. Register the make, model and serial number and let them visually verify this info. This way they can better trace a gun if it falls into the wrong hands.

I'm a gun owner and I feel that if a person owns a gun and they're not breaking any laws then it shouldn't be a problem registering it. If someone steals your gun then report it right away. If kept my gun on my boat I would check on it every day and I would know if it went missing.
 
If your traveling in a group as I did in June to Bimini, there's really no need to bring a gun. I own one and didn't bring it however there were approx. 18 of us (boats) in the group when we crossed.:grin:
 
Tonka Boater said:
After more consideration and reading the posts at THT I agree that I would like to keep my gun with me for protection. I think a better way for them to handle it would be to require registering the gun upon entry and not allow it on land. Register the make, model and serial number and let them visually verify this info. This way they can better trace a gun if it falls into the wrong hands.

I'm a gun owner and I feel that if a person owns a gun and they're not breaking any laws then it shouldn't be a problem registering it. If someone steals your gun then report it right away. If kept my gun on my boat I would check on it every day and I would know if it went missing.
Click to expand...

They already do this. You are required upon entrance to provide them with the type of gun, serial number, and number of rounds on board. They also ask that it be kept locked.

Ken
 
They also state the gun is not allowed on land at all when in the Bahamas. This will only make people that would normally report all guns to now NOT report them. Imagine if Bahamian Customs starts boarding all boats to search for guns. My experience is that most of them are pretty damn lazy anyway and I would not trust them with my handgun in their 'locker'. You will probably never see that handgun again if you give it to the Bahamian Customs agent. IMO.
 
Update Today From Explorer Charts.

Firearms Info Update

Published November 7, 2011 | By sara
We just spoke with a senior Customs official in Nassau concerning the reported proposal to have cruising yachtsmen leave their firearms with Customs for the duration of their time in the country. Here’s how it stands currrently: The proposal to require yachtsmen to leave their weapons on entering the country and picking them up as they exit is being discussed in Parliament. It will be voted on before the end of the year. Meanwhile, things stand as they have been–yachtsmen declare their weapons and ammunition upon clearing in with Bahamas Customs upon entering the country. That information is noted on the Cruising Permit. No weapons are being held at the present time. The proposal to do so is not aimed at cruisers but rather is a measure to reduce the high crime rate in Nassau, primarily. It remains to be seen what the final bill will look like. We’ll call them again later in December and give you an update.
Monty and Sara Lewis
Explorer Chartbooks

I do not know how this will work. Say you check in at Bimini to go to Atlantis, and do a direct return or say you go south to the Exumas or North to the Abacos.

You will have to go back to the island you check in at every time.

We will see.

Ken
 
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