Guns on Board

[zboss]

Yes - I went there...

I DO NOT WANT AN ARGUMENT ON THE PROS/CONS.

I just want to know two things:

- Is it legal to carry my gun on my coast guard documented vessel up and down the ICW, and;

- Do I need to register that gun when entering a new state (say florida) where we will be staying for winter.

The boat is currently in maryland but I do not have a maryland license.

[s/v 'Faith']

Originally Posted by zboss

Yes - I went there...

I DO NOT WANT AN ARGUMENT ON THE PROS/CONS.

I just want to know two things:

- Is it legal to carry my gun on my coast guard documented vessel up and down the ICW, and;

- Do I need to register that gun when entering a new state (say florida) where we will be staying for winter.

The boat is currently in maryland but I do not have a maryland license.

Yes it is legal, you have to check the state laws of the state you are in at the time.

There is no such thing as "registering a gun" in Florida, thankfully such ideas are foreign there. You can apply for a conceiled carry license that is recognized by most states.

A through check of applicable state laws can be found on the "Florida conceiled carry" forum here.

[s/v 'Faith']

A better website for state by state check of gun laws.

Handgunlaw.us

The link in my post above is good for the Florida portion of your question.

Good luck,

[sailpower]

The fact that your boat is USCG documented has no bearing on state gun laws.

State laws vary and you need to comply with whichever one you are in.

Some states treat handguns differently from long guns so you need to know that as well.

[zboss]

This is so confusing.

So, if I am a virginia resident cruising through the georgia ICW with my gun on board and I am boarded by the police or the coast guard, what then?

- z

[sailpower]

Originally Posted by zboss

This is so confusing.

So, if I am a virginia resident cruising through the georgia ICW with my gun on board and I am boarded by the police or the coast guard, what then?

- z

You need to be in compliance with GA gun laws or most likely be arrested.

What type of gun are you discussing.

It's no different than driving through the states.

[El Rubio]

In general, heading south usually equals fewer hassles than going in the other direction.

As a side, I consider myself a gun enthusiast and am curious what you plan on carrying on board. I usually carry a SIG P250. It's double action only high capacity 9mm - no hair triggers on a bouncing sea.

What I like about the P250 is its modular design. The government considers the firing mechanism ( trigger, hammer, firing pin, etc) as the 'legal' firearm. The P250 offers interchangeable barrel lengths, frame sizes,& calibers. All use the same fire control unit. In my case, I have a single fire control unit, a compact 9mm barrel and slide, a fullsized 40 S&W slide, compact, fullsize, & sub compact frames & mags for each in both calibers. The 40 & 9mm use the same frames. I can use the 9mm compact slide on either the sub or compact frames, the 40 can fit on the compact & full sized frames. Lots of options and technically still one gun. It also comes in 357sig & 45.

[Kenomac]

Carrying guns that are legal in all states, seemed to eliminate the hassles for us in the US. Two that I had onboard Vepr 7.62x39 short barrel, thumbhole stock and Mossberg 500 Mariner. No handguns, due to individual jurisdiction issues between states and cities. The coasties seemed to like the Mossberg when I was boarded in Long beach California.

[John Drake]

You will need to be aware of and in compliance with ALL State and local laws for EACH state.

Before you even think about bringing a gun into DC or MD, read this:

MILLER: D.C. businessman faces two years in jail for unregistered ammunition, brass casing - Washington Times

Hope this helps

[The Garbone]

If you have a carry permit it is no problem South of the Mason-Dixon. If no permit a zip or latch case and you should be fine. I was told a ziplock qualifies as a legally zipping case. Never really worried about it since I have a permit.

[zboss]

I have a carry permit from VA but MD does not recognize it. I was wondering if having a gun on board is more like it being in your car or in your house.

[John Drake]

I do not think a VA CCW permit is honored in MD.

A VA resident permit IS honored in FL.

However....apparently from what I just read, it is NOT honored in GA.

Better check all state and local laws for all areas you might sail through.

[cheoah]

Locked away on your boat you should be fine. Having a permit is a plus, regardless of reciprocity. Coast guard will no doubt ask if they board, I'd declare it to MD fish and game but this is like having it locked in your car trunk.

9mm not my first choice. Prefer 45 ACP, would rather not have rounds going through to neighboring boats etc. Kimber in stainless.

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by The Garbone

If you have a carry permit it is no problem South of the Mason-Dixon.

Wow. Talk about BAD information! This is simply and completely NOT TRUE!

It is true that southern states are generally more accommodating when it comes to possession of a firearm than our northern neighbors. That does not mean that, if you have a carry permit from wherever, it is "no problem." You still need to understand the differences in the laws between the states as you move from one to the next.

For one example, in North Carolina a "no guns" sign carries the weight of law. You can be arrested for carrying a gun into any place that prominently posts such a sign--carry permit or not. In Texas, to carry the weight of law, a "no guns" sign has to adhere to strict requirements. In Florida such signs do not carry the weight of law.

For another example, every state has a different list of places where you are allowed to carry, or prohibited from carrying. Let's say you have a carry permit from Florida, where it is legal to carry a concealed weapon into state office buildings. Go to North Carolina with that permit, and carry your gun into a state office building (which NC prohibits) and you are going to go to jail. They will be completely unimpressed by your insistence that it's "no problem" because you have a carry permit from Florida!

So, bottom line is, you need to understand the laws in each area that you pass through. Again, Handgunlaw.us is probably your best single source for information on the variations between laws in the different states. Good luck.

[sailpower]

Originally Posted by cheoah

Locked away on your boat you should be fine. Having a permit is a plus, regardless of reciprocity. Coast guard will no doubt ask if they board, I'd declare it to MD fish and game but this is like having it locked in your car trunk.

Although well intended, I would be very wary of taking this advice without confirmation.