Question for any boat owners out there: When out on your local waters, either lake or ocean, do you carry? What laws are we subject to under this circumstance? State? Federal? I have not brought my pistol with me yet but was curious about experiences other have had.
Guns and Boats: Do they mix?
- Thread starter erik1166
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I don't think guns and boats mix well. I am always reading on here about people losing all there guns overboard while on a boat 
Mickey D
Member
Even though I lost all my guns in a boating mishap, I'd still take one with me (if I had one) as defense to Pirates, especially if near Pittsburgh. Arrrrr,
Texas Star
US Veteran
Good question. I'd sure carry guns while boating, esp. in the Gulf of Mexico, if legal. I'd worry as much about the USCG as crooks. Be sure you're legal and stay out of Mexican and other foreign waters!
The sub-thread here can be about shark guns. I was impressed with what Elmer Keith and others said about that.
I think the man who Quint in, "Jaws" was based on carried a Garand for sharks. He specialized in going after them for his clients. His name escapes me at the moment. Who knows? Worked out of Long Island. Wrote a couple of shark books.
Neither guns nor boats mix well with alcohol.
The sub-thread here can be about shark guns. I was impressed with what Elmer Keith and others said about that.
I think the man who Quint in, "Jaws" was based on carried a Garand for sharks. He specialized in going after them for his clients. His name escapes me at the moment. Who knows? Worked out of Long Island. Wrote a couple of shark books.
Neither guns nor boats mix well with alcohol.
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wildenout
Member
Guns and Boats CAN mix, but overboard guns is a huge concern. Growing up with a boat we ventured to Lake Mead almost every weekend from May onward. We always had BB guns (classic, don't make a lot of noise, can kill a snake if necessary no real ricochet), a flare gun (in the emergency kit), and my Dad would usually bring along a snub nose .38 with some snake shot shells. This would ride in the glove compartment most of the time, he only had to use it once.
On bigger lake that cross state boarders, they are patrolled by Coast Guard (so I have been told) on local lakes I know it is just local rangers. I would imagine that the States rules apply to what waters you are floating in. But I promise 99% of rangers will look the other way if you had to defend yourself from something and weren't being a yahoo with your firearm.
Just my 2 cents, I know Dad was never without it when he touched shore and that he would always say "In the wilderness I am the law" lol.
On bigger lake that cross state boarders, they are patrolled by Coast Guard (so I have been told) on local lakes I know it is just local rangers. I would imagine that the States rules apply to what waters you are floating in. But I promise 99% of rangers will look the other way if you had to defend yourself from something and weren't being a yahoo with your firearm.
Just my 2 cents, I know Dad was never without it when he touched shore and that he would always say "In the wilderness I am the law" lol.
Guns and boats mix well:
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I carry virtually everywhere it's legal, including while boating, and frequently camp, using one of my several small boats as transportation, and bring along at least a potent sidearm, usually a suppressed .22 pistol, and sometimes a rifle. Of course, waterfowl hunters, etc., carry guns in boats. I've never been in a suitable place, but recall reading about squirrel hunting while floating down some stream in canoes or similar small boats --- sounded way more fun than fishing...
Of course, you want to be careful about not losing guns overboard, or getting them wet (especially with salt water). For sidearms, consider using a lanyard (Gem-Tech, the suppressor manufacturer, offers a nice one), and for long guns, cases that offer some splash protection, and, can be easily secured to the boat, the Kolpin Gun Boot being an excellent example.
In small boats that might predictably capsize, thereby dunking the gun, consider carrying a gun that's pretty much impervious to water damage, and easily rinsed of fine grit from the water, and restored to service without tools, e.g., a Glock, or similar striker fired pistol. S&W revolvers, for example, are a PITA to salvage after dunking, and require at least a set of three screwdriver heads to dis/reassemble properly.
As for legalities, do your due diligence for the area of interest --- there maybe anomalies of overlapping jurisdictions, etc., to confuse the issues, but for Inland and Western Rivers, I think state regs prevail, with the exception of National Parks, National Seashores, etc., which now mostly are congruent with state laws...
Of course, you want to be careful about not losing guns overboard, or getting them wet (especially with salt water). For sidearms, consider using a lanyard (Gem-Tech, the suppressor manufacturer, offers a nice one), and for long guns, cases that offer some splash protection, and, can be easily secured to the boat, the Kolpin Gun Boot being an excellent example.
In small boats that might predictably capsize, thereby dunking the gun, consider carrying a gun that's pretty much impervious to water damage, and easily rinsed of fine grit from the water, and restored to service without tools, e.g., a Glock, or similar striker fired pistol. S&W revolvers, for example, are a PITA to salvage after dunking, and require at least a set of three screwdriver heads to dis/reassemble properly.
As for legalities, do your due diligence for the area of interest --- there maybe anomalies of overlapping jurisdictions, etc., to confuse the issues, but for Inland and Western Rivers, I think state regs prevail, with the exception of National Parks, National Seashores, etc., which now mostly are congruent with state laws...
Mickey, don't forget Antioch as well....
Autococker07
US Veteran
Frank Mundus, Montauk, NY Skippered the Cricket 2. I believe he still holds the record for the largest fish caught on rod/reel.... a ~3400 great white off block island.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
Go to your room. And take that damn parrot with you.
sipowicz
Member
When I was a kid my dad and I were fishing on the long island sound in our little 14 footer...while anchored, we noticed a lobster boat was barreling towards us and my dad yelled and tried to wave him off... after he realized the skipper didn't see us, he pulled out his DS and fired a round in the air...that got his attention and he changed course...so for me, guns and boats do mix.
kozmic
Member
I don't recall ever going out on the lake in my boat with just a flare gun. That would be just stupid. Of course I never wander out into international waters with a weapon.
kamloops67
Member
oh man if i could fish with my 44s...
I can only say that it's really embarrassing to accidentally shoot a hole in the bottom of someone else's boat (especially if you 're in the middle of the Yukon River).
Gunslinger808
Member
Nevermind, pics that didn't matter...
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rojodiablo
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I used to run a boat that was not too far removed from that Texas Patrol boat. We carried all kinds of gear for the guys who actually used the stuff.
From my experience, Parkerize EVERYTHING you wish to have survive the environment of being on the water. (This will tell how old I am) We carried Baretta 92's, and M4's. Had a 60 on the bow, stowed. We were not really an assault force, so we did not project firepower. Our job was to be quiet, and be left alone.
What wasn't phosphate coated got parkerized. What wasn't parkerized or phosphate coated got home brewed Rhino liner/ Herculiner on it. It worked pretty well....... but our stuff was always old, and battered when we got it. I found out why quickly, as the constant salt bath would turn ammo green, mags would load with the corrosion from the ammo, the SS mags would rust, the aluminum mags would have dialectic corrosion in no time flat with brass ammo and then stuffed into a receiver and resting against a steel bolt.
We just couldn't win. My advice is to go with a nickel plated, or SS, or parkerized firearm. And oil it up. The whole thing should be coated and cleaned like a raccoon on a crayfish in a creek.
From my experience, Parkerize EVERYTHING you wish to have survive the environment of being on the water. (This will tell how old I am) We carried Baretta 92's, and M4's. Had a 60 on the bow, stowed. We were not really an assault force, so we did not project firepower. Our job was to be quiet, and be left alone.
What wasn't phosphate coated got parkerized. What wasn't parkerized or phosphate coated got home brewed Rhino liner/ Herculiner on it. It worked pretty well....... but our stuff was always old, and battered when we got it. I found out why quickly, as the constant salt bath would turn ammo green, mags would load with the corrosion from the ammo, the SS mags would rust, the aluminum mags would have dialectic corrosion in no time flat with brass ammo and then stuffed into a receiver and resting against a steel bolt.
We just couldn't win. My advice is to go with a nickel plated, or SS, or parkerized firearm. And oil it up. The whole thing should be coated and cleaned like a raccoon on a crayfish in a creek.
hangnoose
Member
guns & boats
growing up on the water on L.I. duck hunting & salt water really took it's toll on gun finishes, so old beaters were used and cleaned/oiled shortly after returning. never leave a gun on a boat for long periods if you can help it. we ended up using lanyards for just about everything, guns, knives, keys, eyeglasses. carrying on the water is one thing, shooting anything other than a shotgun is risky as a bullet can skip like a stone a long ways and be extremely dangerous. in my area most larger bodies of salt water were under federal law, but fire a gun within earshot of the wealthy that could afford to live on the water would invariably draw a call to police. I can't remember duck hunting in Northport/Huntington Bay without getting a visit by the police or coast guard.
growing up on the water on L.I. duck hunting & salt water really took it's toll on gun finishes, so old beaters were used and cleaned/oiled shortly after returning. never leave a gun on a boat for long periods if you can help it. we ended up using lanyards for just about everything, guns, knives, keys, eyeglasses. carrying on the water is one thing, shooting anything other than a shotgun is risky as a bullet can skip like a stone a long ways and be extremely dangerous. in my area most larger bodies of salt water were under federal law, but fire a gun within earshot of the wealthy that could afford to live on the water would invariably draw a call to police. I can't remember duck hunting in Northport/Huntington Bay without getting a visit by the police or coast guard.
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CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Yes .
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