Non-firearm weapons on board.

[David Ess]

We know that firearms are banned are severely restricted most places . Apparently too, even some non- gun weapons are restricted too some types , some places. For example Ive heard that spearguns are not alloed in the Bahamas. So far I cant find any sort of country list of prohibited items. Anybody know of such? Imagine if one is planning to cruise to say 30 countries without knowing what might be confiscated, etc.

[Orion Jim]

Confiscation by customs usually means they lock it in their safe and return it to you when you depart. Even flare guns are confiscated in Bermuda. Laws change frequently so my advice would be to surf the web prior to departure and peruse the customs formalities of the countries you may visit. Safety offshore is more about planning routes which avoid areas known to be unfriendly to cruisers.

[skipmac]

Do not know of one single, consolidated list. Noonsite has every maritime country listed with a section on immigration, clearance, security, etc but doesn't focus on weapons.

Just have to research country by country. However most countries that restrict guns also restrict most anything that can substitute so: bows especially crossbows, sling shots, flare guns, etc. Some countries do allow flare guns and spear guns as they are legitimate boat gear but most do restrict flare gun inserts that allow them to fire 12 gauge shotgun shells.

Suggestion, if you are going somewhere that guns are really needed for protection maybe a better option is to go somewhere else.

[geoleo]

Baseball bats are cool but the ultimate is the old US Army entrenching tool. got one in the trunk.

[David Ess]

Thanks for the replies so far. So when some say forearms or guns, they dont just mean that, but alao other weapons. In fact I didntveven necessarily mean for self defense, but in some cases theyre juat hobbies, like archery. If they just impounded such while in port, maybe not too bad, since youd get them back. But on seeing some of the ports and burocrats and shabby facilities, its got to be a big risk.

[Montanan]

If in doubt, contact the country's customs and border patrol agency before arrival to find out what items might be restricted. This is typically published online.

And declare the items, if you are uncertain if they are restricted, or you know they are restricted, when you clear customs. They may or may not take custody of the item and return it when you depart, or if it is illegal they may just confiscate it permanently. Their country, their rules, simple enough to become knowledgeable of the local rules by asking, and to thence comply.

By way of example, the link below is the USA Customs and Border Patrol webpage that details the long list of prohibited and restricted items. Goes way beyond merely weapons.

Here in Montana, it is customary to carry large canisters of bear spray when walking about outside of a town as one never knows when one may have a close encounter, but bear spray is a restricted item in many States and countries and one could be arrested as it is crime to carry. My vehicles all have bear spray canisters in them to have if we go for a hike, I forget to remove them when I leave the state and say drive to California to visit family. Bear spray is a far more effective deterrent than a gun when dealing with the bruins. Bear Spray is considered a pesticide and the product needs to registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]. Regulated similar to mosquito repellant. The maximum bear spray strength allowed by the EPA is 2.0% capsaicinoids.
Whereas in California bear spray is restricted: California laws do not require a license or permit to carry pepper spray. However, the State of California does regulate the size and/or weight of the defense spray products the average citizen can buy and carry. The legal container size must be equal to or less than 2.5 ounces. Whereas in Montana, the minimum recommended size is 7.9 ounces [225 grams] and ever person in your group should have their own container and be trained in its proper and quick use, even kids, say starting at about 10 years of age. A 10-ounce bottle can spray upto 40 feet and has about 8 seconds of spray. An 8-ounce bottle sprays 32 feet for 7 seconds. A one or two second burst typically suffices to derive effective deterrence and one should reserve the supply of pepper so as to have multiple deterrence uses, especially if being stalked by the bear wherein repeated confrontations will occur over long distance of hiking out. But this is Montana, where most of the university and college dorm buildings have a hobby room specifically equipped and designated for gun cleaning. Much like the other hobby rooms, sewing, common area kitchen, reading rooms, work out rooms, bicycle maintenance room, etc.

Bear spray is legal to own in California and the canisters can contain more than 2.5 ounces if the company that makes it registers it with the State as a pesticide. However, using bear spray on humans is illegal. While it works the same way, having a canister in any amount greater than 2.5 ounces for use other than the way it was intended is a crime. The law also specifies that in CA legal pepper spray must not expel the gas by any method other than an aerosol spray. Also, it is illegal to sell or furnish any tear gas or tear gas weapon to a minor. It is also unlawful for a minor under 14 years old to purchase, possess, or use pepper spray of any kind. However, juveniles 14 years and older may possess pepper spray with their parent’s permission.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citize...stricted-items

Snipet copied therefrom:

CBP has been entrusted with enforcing hundreds of laws for 40 other government agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These agencies require that unsafe items are not allowed to enter the United States. CBP officers are always at ports of entry and assume the responsibility of protecting America from all threats.

The products CBP prevent from entering the United States are those that would injure community health, public safety, American workers, children, or domestic plant and animal life, or those that would defeat our national interests. Sometimes the products that cause injury, or have the potential to do so, may seem fairly innocent. But, as you will see from the material that follows, appearances can be deceiving.

Before you leave for your trip abroad, you might want to talk to CBP about the items you plan to bring back to be sure they're not prohibited or restricted. Prohibited means the item is forbidden by law to enter the United States. Examples of prohibited items are dangerous toys, cars that don't protect their occupants in a crash, bush meat, or illegal substances like absinthe and Rohypnol. Restricted means that special licenses or permits are required from a federal agency before the item is allowed to enter the United States. Examples of restricted items include firearms, certain fruits and vegetables, animal products, animal by products, and some animals.

Specifically as to the USA and firearms: You need to register them when departing with a firearm or ammunition and you need to declare upon entry.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regulates and restricts firearms and ammunition and approves all permanent import transactions involving weapons and ammunition. If you want to import weapons or ammunition, you must do so through a licensed importer, dealer or manufacturer. Also, if the National Firearms Act prohibits certain weapons, ammunition or similar devices from coming into the country, you will not be able to import them unless the ATF provides you with written authorization to do so. If the firearm is controlled as a U.S. Munitions List article and it is temporarily imported to the United States, or it is temporarily exported, it may also require a Department of State license or need to meet the conditions for a license exemption.

You do not need an ATF permit if you can demonstrate that you are returning with the same firearms or ammunition that you took out of the United States. To prevent problems when returning, you should register your firearms and related equipment by taking them to any CBP office before you leave the United States. The CBP officer will register them on the same CBP Form-4457 used to register cameras or computers. For more information, please refer to the Tip: Register Items Before You Leave The United States page.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by David Ess

Thanks for the replies so far. So when some say forearms or guns, they dont just mean that, but alao other weapons. In fact I didntveven necessarily mean for self defense, but in some cases theyre juat hobbies, like archery. If they just impounded such while in port, maybe not too bad, since youd get them back. But on seeing some of the ports and burocrats and shabby facilities, its got to be a big risk.

In some places you will have to return to the original port of entry to get your items returned. This can be completely impractical at times while cruising, where you might want to exit the country a 1,000 miles away.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by David Ess

Thanks for the replies so far. So when some say forearms or guns, they dont just mean that, but alao other weapons. In fact I didntveven necessarily mean for self defense, but in some cases theyre juat hobbies, like archery. If they just impounded such while in port, maybe not too bad, since youd get them back. But on seeing some of the ports and burocrats and shabby facilities, its got to be a big risk.

The only risk is that if you do not declare the item and they then find it because then you have committed a crime by non-compliance.

If the good is illegal, then it will be confiscated, again no risk, just merely a taking by the authority. If it is a controlled item then the procedure may be that access to it may be constrained such as kept locked in a secure place in your vessel, or kept by the customs agency until your departure. Or you simply have forfeited the good and will not regain possession of it, a minor issue of little consequence.

It is customary to have a full and accurate count of all of your ammunition and it will be recounted upon exiting and there damn sure better not be a difference, particularly as to having fewer.

[jlblan2]

I have found that wasp spray comes in very handy. Shoots about 20 ft and so far is legal everywhere. It even gets rid of wasps in the boom.

[Ifitsworthdoing]

Interested and following ...
We were also wondering what deterrents/protection items to carry on prolonged Mediterranean cruises - so far we reckon a very very loud whistle or fog horn, pepper spray and/or a high voltage taxer, and a sports bow or pellet gun (with paperwork documenting membership of a relevant shooting club) might work. And a regular flare gun. Slingshots (especially the novel ‘Hammer’ or PocketShot) might be easy to conceal from a search. Also of course proximity sensor - and maybe anchor alarm remotely - triggered cockpit illumination ... and the biggest and baddest tactical flashlight on the market. And of course a lovely collection of Butcher’s knives ...

[boatpoker]

My flare gun, bear spray and machete have never been questioned between Canada and Antigua.

Of course I didn't take any of them with me when I dove overboard to retrieve my dinghy that someone was taking off with.

[moseriw]

Originally Posted by David Ess

We know that firearms are banned are severely restricted most places . Apparently too, even some non- gun weapons are restricted too some types , some places. For example Ive heard that spearguns are not alloed in the Bahamas. So far I cant find any sort of country list of prohibited items. Anybody know of such? Imagine if one is planning to cruise to say 30 countries without knowing what might be confiscated, etc.

Will start in 38 month and before I will check out paintball ammunition with butyric acid. Paintball guns are not classified as weapon and the main target is to keep intruders off at a distance of around 100 yards and this is possible with a paint ball toy and an ballistic trajectory.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by moseriw

Will start in 38 month and before I will check out paintball ammunition with butyric acid. Paintball guns are not classified as weapon and the main target is to keep intruders off at a distance of around 100 yards and this is possible with a paint ball toy and an ballistic trajectory.

Air guns are often regulated goods.

By way of example:

Paintball Guns or Paintball Markers are a firearm in Australia. To buy a Paintball Gun or Paintball Marker you must have a PTA (permit to acquire) or your relevant state equivalent.


In the United States there are at least eight states that regulate paintball guns or paintball activities in a number of different ways. Within these states, many different laws regulate the use and transportation of such weapons, and carry a variety of consequences.

Weapon
In some states, paintball guns have been classified as a “weapon.” Laws regulating the sale, use or transportation of weapons can and do apply to paintball guns in New York and New Jersey. A New York Supreme Court judge ruled that a gun using carbon dioxide was an “air-gun” and was governed by the state's criminal laws.

Minors
Three states – Illinois, New Hampshire and Rhode Island – have laws regulating the sale of a paintball gun to, and the possession of a paintball gun by, minors. New Hampshire and Rhode Island both prohibit individuals under 18 years old from buying or owning a paintball gun, and Illinois prohibits those under than 13 from owning a paintball gun. A minor is only permitted to use a paintball gun while at home or at an approved firing range. In both cases, minors must be under parental supervision.

Transportation
In states where paintball guns are considered a “weapon,” the transportation of such guns is illegal or highly regulated. Pennsylvania, for instance, has imposed strict requirements regarding transporting a paintball gun in a vehicle. It is only legal to transport a paintball gun if it is emptied of all paintballs, the propellant source on the marker is not connected, the paintballs are stored in a closed container, and the actual gun is secured in a wrapper or box.

Public
Many laws have been put into place limiting where a paintball gun can and cannot be used. It is prohibited to discharge a paintball gun by a street or road, sidewalk, highway, and in public land except for a target range.

Other
Other states have different regulations on the use of paintball guns. Delaware only allows the use of these weapons on a farm, New Hampshire allows schools to expel students for possession of a paintball gun, Pennsylvania prohibits the use of paintball guns outside a game or activity, and two states, Delaware and Virginia, permit towns to adopt ordinances relating to the use of a paintball gun.

[Montanan]

United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

State Laws and Published Ordinances - Firearms (34th Edition)

Reference: https://www.atf.gov/firearms/state-l...s-34th-edition

[Montanan]

Do not make assumptions of what the law, or laws are.

Note that there are many levels of ordinances applicable for ordinances [weapons], not just country, or State / Provincial, but also local municipality laws.

Take Laramie, Wyoming, out in the wild, wild, west for example.

The Question:

Can you legally shoot an air soft or paintball gun in city limits?

The Answer:

“Based on Laramie Municipal Code, which reads in part, the answer is that air soft or paintball guns cannot be shot in city limits. Both airsoft and paintballs fall under “any description” or are “spring or air guns” and would be similar to bb guns.

9.28.030 - Discharge of firearms—Permit.
A. Except for a certified peace officer in performance of his or her duties, no person shall fire or discharge any gun, rifle, pistol, revolver or firearm of any description, without first having obtained a permit from the chief of police.

9.28.040 - Slingshots and air guns—Permit.
No person in the city shall carry or bear upon his person any slingshot, catapult, spring or air gun except as is specifically allowed under the ordinance codified in this section.”