Legality of Compound (Archery) Bow Cruising other Countries

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Tantalus

May I ask what a bear authority is?

I guessing he means a Authority model bow manufactured by Bear Archery.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Canibul

speaking of personal agendas.....WHO on here asked any questions about firearms? What does being a "shooter" have to do with archery?

Just curious.

Since a bow is classified as a firearm or in the same category as a firearm in many countries then there is a de facto and de jure connection and the mention is inevitable.

[JK n Smitty]

Originally Posted by skipmac

A couple of words expressing personal sentiments aside, the answer from Lorenzo was exactly correct. And as Don says, depends on the country and there is no pat answer, but it is absolutely a fact that in some countries possession of anything that they define as a weapon which often includes any kind of archery equipment, could get you thrown into a third world prison.

An in case you want to question my motives, I have been a shooter and a gun owner for 50 years. No longer carry any kind of gun when cruising outside the US.

Skip,

The problem I had was that the "couple of words expressing personal sentiments" was that was only new part of his post (see other's answers above that) and came from the presumption that the only use for such an item on a boat was personal protection. It gave no consideration to the sporting side (either target or hunting) or other potential motives to carrying it. For instance, the person could be a liveaboard and have no other place to keep them. It also insinuated that having such an item (firearm or bow) for personal protection was insane. Again, a personal agenda of that poster that has nothing to do with the OP's question.

And for the record, I too am a shooter and firearms owner and I too don't plan to carry any when I leave to go cruising next year. I would love to but the various laws in the countries I plan to visit make it prohibitive. Their country, their rules and I plan to abide them.

Fair winds,

Jesse

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by JK n Smitty

The problem I had was that the "couple of words expressing personal sentiments" was that was only new part of his post (see other's answers above that) and came from the presumption that the only use for such an item on a boat was personal protection. It gave no consideration to the sporting side (either target or hunting) or other potential motives to carrying it. For instance, the person could be a liveaboard and have no other place to keep them. It also insinuated that having such an item (firearm or bow) for personal protection was insane. Again, a personal agenda of that poster that has nothing to do with the OP's question.

Well I didn't originally see that point in the post from Lorenzo but I guess the last line "God help your sorry ass if you actually use one." could be interpreted to refer to using a weapon for personal protection.

On the other hand, in some countries, Jamaica for one, if you check in with any kind of weapon they will inventory every round you have and if you can't account for them all on checkout you will be in serious trouble. Wouldn't matter if you shot at a shark or seagull or an intruder or just shot in the air for fun to hear the noise. If you use the gun and discharge a round for any reason the stuff hits the fan. So be sure if you drop a round into the bilge you can retrieve it.

[Jim Cate]

All this talk about being jailed for possession of a bow (or firearm) when checking in does not agree with our experience. When going through the clearance process, the officials always ask if you have firearms aboard. If so, you declare them up front. Depending on the country, they will note it, possibly impound them, possibly (rarely) confiscate them... but so far, we have not encountered any country where you will be jailed for having them aboard when you clear in.

Attempting to hide a weapon and not declare it... that will get you in the **** everywhere!

Alarmist statements about jailing are not helpful.

Jim

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

All this talk about being jailed for possession of a bow (or firearm) when checking in does not agree with our experience. When going through the clearance process, the officials always ask if you have firearms aboard. If so, you declare them up front. Depending on the country, they will note it, possibly impound them, possibly (rarely) confiscate them... but so far, we have not encountered any country where you will be jailed for having them aboard when you clear in.

Attempting to hide a weapon and not declare it... that will get you in the **** everywhere!

Alarmist statements about jailing are not helpful.

Jim

Jim,

In general I would agree and I never had any problems checking in with a gun on board in the Caribbean when I reported them on clearance.

However I have heard or read a couple of reports of cruisers or travelers to Mexico that were jailed when declaring a gun to customs, including one long thread by a forum member a couple of years ago.

[Tantalus]

I seldom give opinions on here...but here I go. If you feel you need a weapon on board..stay home.

[seandepagnier]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

Others will regulate it no more rigidly than they would a hammer.
Good luck to you.

I would consider a hammer a more dangerous weapon in close combat.

Originally Posted by lorenzo b

If there is one thing you don't need on a sailboat it's a bow and arrow. Most sane countries do not allow firearms,

A bow and arrow is not a firearm unless you are using flaming arrows.

that would be any devise that can launch a projectile.

And these sane countries also cut off everyone's arms?

If one is found on your vessel you will be arrested and it will cost you thousands of dollars and weeks of your time to get out, and then you will be expelled and told never to return.
God help your sorry ass if you actually use one.

Thank you for the completely false statement because I can laugh and gain 9 seconds of life (enough to reply)

[Kenomac]

If you're going to do something, do it right. Here's the Barnett model I use for hunting in the USA.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by boat_alexandra

A bow and arrow is not a firearm unless you are using flaming arrows.

ROTFLMAO.

You owe me a new keyboard after a whole mouthful of coffee was sprayed onto it through my nose.

[Jim Cate]

FWIW, here in Oz even a slingshot is considered an illegal weapon, and Customs will confiscate them upon clearance. I wonder how Ned Kelly would have dealt with that sort of weapon control?

Jim

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

FWIW, here in Oz even a slingshot is considered an illegal weapon, and Customs will confiscate them upon clearance. I wonder how Ned Kelly would have dealt with that sort of weapon control?

Jim

firearms and weapons

Items that are NOT subject to control
...
Spears; spearheads; compound bows and general archery equipment such as bows and arrows (crossbows are controlled);

But:
"If you wish to import a weapons not subject to import controls, you should contact the Firearms/Weapons Registry of your State/Territory Police Service to determine any requirements they might have on the possession of an item."


I just looked a bit more closely at that list. I note that "one hand opening knives" are "Items that ARE or MAY BE subject to control". I use a folder with a thumb stud as a general purpose boat knife.

Guess I'll have to start declaring that every time I come in to Cairns from now on.

[DeftxM]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

If you're going to do something, do it right. Here's the Barnett model I use for hunting in the USA.

Might as well use a gun if youre going to use a crossbow.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by DeftxM

Might as well use a gun if youre going to use a crossbow.

That would be illegal during archery season.

[DeftxM]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

That would be illegal during archery season.

no offense but a crossbow takes the skill out of archery. in my eyes defeats the point of a bow