Target Practice at Sea?

[Dulcesuenos]

Were sailing north just 2.5 miles SW off St petersburg and a large sports fisherman slows down behind us maybe a mile and minutes later starts shooting off semi auto weapons of the rather hi powered variety. Being avid hunters didn't bother us but is there any law regarding distance from land and discharging a firearm?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Dulcesuenos

Were sailing north just 2.5 miles SW off St petersburg and a large sports fisherman slows down behind us maybe a mile and minutes later starts shooting off semi auto weapons of the rather hi powered variety. Being avid hunters didn't bother us but is there any law regarding distance from land and discharging a firearm?

No... but there is one for distance from police/CG when discharging one...

[Privleoplag]

Distance from land? If your an avid hunter you must shoot ON the land all the time. . Locally here in the prairies, you just need to be outside the city limits, and preferably not shooting towards the city.

[Dulcesuenos]

Actualy we hunt on land and in the water. I spearfish which is shooting on well under the water so not all shooting must be on land. Plus dolphin season is opening soon I hear they taste like chicken.

[sailorboy1]

Just be glad it was only shooting practice and not pirate repelling practice, because since you were in the area you would have played the part of the pirates!

[Privleoplag]

Originally Posted by Dulcesuenos

Actualy we hunt on land and in the water. I spearfish which is shooting on well under the water so not all shooting must be on land. Plus dolphin season is opening soon I hear they taste like chicken.

That was a good one! Hey, I'm an avid spear fisherman too so should have known that all shooting doesn't need to be on land!

[delmarrey]

I wonder how high a missile has to go before it's detected.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

I wonder how high a missile has to go before it's detected.

Depends on whether its an Indian or Malaysian Call Centre...

[hellosailor]

Dulce, if you are in municipal waters, the municipal laws apply. In state waters, state laws apply. In federal waters...You can see where this goes, right?

I'd assume that the only "firearms discharge" rules out there would be Florda State, which usually means something in the FLorida Statutes that can be found onlline.

However, given the range of a high power rifle, a call to the USCG regarding reckless or negligent operations might be in order. Not that I'm against shark or duck hunting at sea, but most folks don't realize just how far a "high powered" rifle bullet can travel. There's a reason cruise ships used to offer trap and skeet shooting--not riflery.

[zeehag]

gal i knew in ny was shot dead while driving z camaro on belt parkway by a fella shooting sharks in sheepshead bay. 1967. just after she graduated high school. who or what you aiming at.
may you be more fortunate in killing that at which you aim.

[Dulcesuenos]

Sorry to hear that Zee. I have seen how far and how many times a bullet can skip across the water. I couldn't tell what direction they were shooting in. Hope it wasn't ours... on the bright side we have had a great 12 days on the boat!!!

[atoll]

musta been a big marlin,with russians onboard methinks...............

all the more reason to get a kevlar/epoxy boat,or metal! lol

[Dulcesuenos]

As soon as I can afford a gunboat or tag........

[atoll]

Originally Posted by Dulcesuenos

As soon as I can afford a gunboat or tag........

look online for kevlar lifejackets!!!

[3dubs]

You also have to watch the angle the bullet strikes the water because bullets do ricochet off water. But if aiming away from land I think people are more at risk of some kind of fish jumping into their boat and biting them. I have fired many rounds over and into water and only hit what was intended.