Dont declare firearms in the Bahamas, Ouch!

[FamilyVan]

Originally Posted by ChrisTinaBruce

I do.

Try smuggling a couple of handguns into Malaysia for "protection". Let us know how hyperbolic it is then. Oh wait, you won't be able to let us know because they'll hang you.

Sent from my XP7700 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[stevebein]

The factual question and one which the arguments, which are becoming heated miss entirely, is that the weapons were not registered at the port of entry. So, the real and informationally important question and one which would be illuminating instead of degenerating into a gun vs no gun and what people think, should be, "what would have happened if the guns were declared at the port of entry. Since this forum is for information, What the hell are the consequences, or are there any at all, if the firearms were declared at the port of entry. Would they be allowed as declared, secured in a sealed locker, as I was informed Belize would do a few years ago, or would they just be confiscated with a thank you for donating such nice weapons to the Bahamas? Lets get to real useful information and not heated opinions for or against weapons aboard.

[RainDog]

Just to be precise, as I read the sign at customs you could not bring two handguns. It said you are allowed one rifle, one hand gun, and 250 rounds of ammo.

[micah719]

I'll be sure to declare my guns before I anchor in a movie theatre. How much scope, and should I use all-chain rode for that?

[jwcolby54]

Originally Posted by micah719

I'll be sure to declare my guns before I anchor in a movie theatre. How much scope, and should I use all-chain rode for that?

As Hermione so famously put it.

What an Idiot!

[RTB]

Originally Posted by stevebein

The factual question and one which the arguments, which are becoming heated miss entirely, is that the weapons were not registered at the port of entry. So, the real and informationally important question and one which would be illuminating instead of degenerating into a gun vs no gun and what people think, should be, "what would have happened if the guns were declared at the port of entry. Since this forum is for information, What the hell are the consequences, or are there any at all, if the firearms were declared at the port of entry. Would they be allowed as declared, secured in a sealed locker, as I was informed Belize would do a few years ago, or would they just be confiscated with a thank you for donating such nice weapons to the Bahamas? Lets get to real useful information and not heated opinions for or against weapons aboard.

This pretty well covers it -

Firearms
If you have a firearm on board (shotguns and handguns only) you must declare it with Bahamian Customs. You must provide the serial number, name of the manufacturer, plus an exact count of ammunition.
While you are allowed to have a firearm on your boat, you cannot remove it. Weapons must be under lock and key at all times.
In cases of emergencies, which require your departure by air, you must notify Bahamian Police or Customs. They will accompany you to retrieve the firearm and present you with a receipt. Upon your return to the island, Bahamian Police or Customs will escort you to your vessel and return your firearm. Any infraction of this law will be dealt with severely.

Bahamas —

Pretty sure most cruisers know about noonsite. That captain was lucky. It would have been much worse had they been in Mexico.

[SailingJeeper]

Thanks Dulcesuenos for the information. As a new squid here.... This type of information helps out tremendously, as I've never traveled abroad before. I've always wondered if guns were necessary while traveling out and abroad ..... or maybe just over in the Red Sea where pirating seems to happen more often. I'd like to think a small revolver would be good to carry in case of wildlife or general protection from whatever.... maybe a rifle if traveling to a country near or known for pirating.

What does everyone carry while out and about ?

[crabcake]

Smuggling - Definition; United States Code



The criminal offense of bringing into, or removing from, a country those items that are prohibited or upon which customs or excise duties have not been paid.
Smuggling is the secret movement of goods across national borders to avoid Customs Duties or import or export restrictions. It typically occurs when either the customs duties are high enough to allow a smuggler to make a large profit on the clandestine goods or when there is a strong demand for prohibited goods, such as narcotics or weapons. The United States polices smuggling through various federal agencies, including the U.S. Customs Service, the U.S. Border Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).


Federal law prohibits the importation of a number of items that are injurious to public health or welfare, including diseased plants or animals, obscene films and magazines, and illegal narcotics. Importation of certain items is prohibited for economic or political purposes. For example, the United States bans trade with Cuba, which means that Cuban cigars may not be legally imported. This restriction inevitably results in the smuggling of Cuban cigars into the United States. Federal law also bans the export of military weapons or items related to the national defense without an export permit.


In addition, federal law prohibits the importation of goods on which required customs or excise duties have not been paid. Such duties are fixed by federal law to raise revenue and to influence commerce.


Travelers at international borders can properly be stopped by customs agents, required to identify themselves, and asked to submit to a search. To combat smuggling, customs agents have the authority to search an individual and his baggage or any packages or containers sent into the country. Within the United States, police cannot conduct searches unless they have a warrant, Probable Cause to suspect unlawful activity, or the consent of the individual being searched. Such requirements do not apply to border searches. Customs agents have a right to search anyone at a border for no reason at all, although they ordinarily only conduct extensive and thorough searches of individuals who arouse suspicion. By the late 1990s, new technology, including x-ray machines that examine commercial vehicles, had been installed by the Border Patrol at border stations in the Southwest. The DEA has also enhanced its technology for combating smuggling in the Southwest through Wiretapping of drug cartel members. In addition, law enforcement agencies have developed "drug courier profiles" that help customs agents identify and question individuals who are likely to be carriers of narcotics.
Smugglers use two methods to move goods. One is to move cargoes undetected across borders. Smugglers move illegal narcotics from Mexico into remote areas of the Southwest United States using airplanes, trucks, and human "mules." These "mules" walk across an isolated region of the Mexico-U.S. border with backpacks full of illegal narcotics.
The other method is one of concealment. For example, a smuggler may hide illegal narcotics in unlikely places on ships or cars, in baggage or cargo, or on a person. Some drug couriers swallow containers of narcotics to avoid detection of the drugs if searched.
In the event that a traveler possesses anything that he or she did not declare to customs inspectors, or any prohibited items, the traveler can be compelled to pay the required duties, plus penalties, and can also be arrested. Customs agents can seize the illegal goods.
Federal law imposes harsh sanctions for the offense of smuggling. An individual can be convicted merely for having illegal goods in his or her possession if she or he fails to adequately explain their presence. Anyone who is guilty of knowingly smuggling any goods that are prohibited by law or that should have come through customs, or who receives, buys, sells, transports, or aids in the commission of one of these acts can be charged with a felony and can also be assessed civil penalties. The merchandise itself, as well as any vessel or vehicle used to transport it, can be forfeited to the United States under Forfeiture proceedings.
=============
Most countries have very similar laws


For those of you who have not cleared customs in the Bahamas, here is the information about entering/exiting and the paperwork you must fill out and turn in.... Please note Item #3

[skipmac]

I have a question about the stop and inspection. The article said,

Coral Harbour Base, 17 August 2015 (RBDF): Her Majesty’s Bahamian Ship P-44 apprehended a foreign pleasure yacht for failing to declare the firearms it had on board at its first port of entry on Tuesday 11th August 2015.

To me it is not clear if the boat had not cleared at all. For years it has been common for cruisers to wait and clear in at their final destination port in the Bahamas and was allowed by the Bahamas as long as the vessel didn't stop in transit. However recently they have been enforcing the rule strictly and requiring boats to clear in at the first port on their route.

The way the article is worded it is possible that the boat had not yet cleared into the Bahamas and was planning to do so at their first stop. If they had not yet cleared then they obviously had not had the opportunity to declare the guns.

Or they could have cleared in and not declared the guns.

Anyone know which it is?

[jwcolby54]

Originally Posted by SailingJeeper

What does everyone carry while out and about ?

My brain?

You do understand that you are addressing a small subsection of the users of this list. The vast majority of those members from other countries will simply read your question with astonishment and confusion. I have never seen any statistics but I would bet a large sum that 99.9% of all weapons on the high seas are carried by the authorities, criminals and Americans.

[PortClydeMe]

Originally Posted by jwcolby54

Well golly gee wizz imagine that. We have countries where law abiding citizens don't carry guns. Then we have gun totin Americans coming in to such countries waving their guns. And when they don't declare them and the host country enforces their laws, folks get upset and start trash talking about the law enforcement carrying weapons.

Now if YOU were a law enforcement officer, looking at such (in their view) wild west hooligans carrying firearms, wouldn't YOU be carrying a gun? In such countries only non-law abiding citizens (criminals) have guns, and the government has the RIGHT to have and use weapons to protect their LAW ABIDING citizens.

If it were ME, and I were in charge of such countries, I would tell the wild west American hooligans to leave their weapons at home. You, as an American, have no AUTOMATIC right to carry a weapon in any country other than the US. You are allowed to do so because they are kind enough to write laws SPECIFICALLY to allow that.

In many cases their own citizens are not allowed what you are allowed. Think about THAT.

Just out of personal interest, which university did you attend?

[stevebein]

Originally Posted by jwcolby54

My brain?

A famous quote from an Airforce General, " YOur brain is your greatest weapon, use it".
That applies to this thread also. How do I get off the replies?

[northwestsailor]

If you have to resort to any weapons your mind and heart have already failed you. Having arms or feeling like you need arms is a sign of weakness not strength.

You would find the same consequences bringing arms into Canada so it is not unique to the Bahamas.

[2kr]

Lucky they didn't lose the boat. In a few places, i had to declare the spear guns, Hawaiian slings, and flare pistols. I took the guns off my boat. More trouble than they are worth. That being said, its a bad idea to board my boat unarmed. On the other hand, I am not going to take out some kid for trying to steal my dinghy.

[SailingJeeper]

Originally Posted by jwcolby54

My brain?

Are you sure ? LOL JK

I am curious as to how many people carry out there.... has anyone ever needed to carry or wish they had something? ( I just keep thinking of Capt Philips)

I look at carrying like a life raft on the ship .... Hopefully it's never needed, but in case it is.....It's there. Both would stay put away except in an extreme emergency.