Pistols and boats...State lines and rules
 

Let me preface this with a statement.
If you are an anti-gun freak, please don't reply. Some of us still use what rights we have left under the piece of political toilet paper that sadly (VERY sadly) our constitution has become.
That being said.....

Yesterday the sound was like glass and I found myself in another state.
In CT, you have to keep your weapon totally concealed. I have no idea what the NY laws are, but I know you have to be secret service to get a permit in NYC.

Here is the question: Do any of you know how the laws are enforced on the water? If your boat is registered in one state and you find yourself in another state, but still floating....is it any different from crossing a state line in a car?

I imagine that the great lakes folks must have some interesting issues when they get to Canada....but when does it become Canada? On the water, or at the dock?

DEP was useless (which is interesting, cause they usually know everything). State Police did not know when you are "crossing a state line" in a boat, but did tell me that everything changes a few miles offshore, or if you drift involuntarily. If it is a loss of power drift situation, your home state laws apply as long as you are on the boat. (Something about "Force Majure" in an emergency situation.)?????

Anyone have any info about this? Or would you know where to direct me?

You are in another country as soon as you drop anchor or tie up. I would assume that it would aply to another state as well. If you boat into NY but never drop anchor your still under CT law. There are no freeking lines out there and it goes back to before the days of GPS and high tech navigation but that is the law. Now you can go from state to state just put your gun in one lock box and your ammo in another and you can transport over state lines as I have been told by police and many other gun carriers in MA. I also have a licens to carry concealed in MA and I enjoy going ot he range. When I have to carry say 100 grand worth of equipment through a not so good part of town you better believe I prepair for the worst and pray to God for the best.

Jon

I believe it is no different then a car except once you step foot on land in NY or Ma or where ever you have to follow the rules of that state. Now what happens if the Coast Guard stops you I am not sure.

I have been stopped by the coast guard and know for a fact that they will not search your boat if you answer yes to the guns on board question. They do not want to deal with it. They may ask were the guns are and if you tell them over there they will say to stay away from that area of the boat. Then they ask for the license. I say yes even though I never have them on board just because it makes the search/safty inspection take a LOT less time. :D:D

I thought international waters started 5 miles out?

As to the great lakes, I've never had a problem. Of course, I've never been stopped and I don't pack. However, (correct me if I'm wrong) I believe that most states will hit you for a concealed weapon if it's not in plain sight. Disclosing that you have a weapon under the seat will not get you out of the charge.

Oh, yea. There's something about the weapon being in a case.

Cord I am not sure if you are talking about when out of state or what. In MA anyhow you MUST have your gun concealed at all times. Showing it or flashing it can be cosiderd a threat to some one so it has to stay hidden. If out of state it has to stay in the locked up box. I can carry my gun into banks, airports (not through securrity), anywere BUT court houses, and federal buildings. If I want I can put it in a locked box and check it through with my lugage out to California and then Nickslick and I can go shooting. However it HAS to stay in the locked box.

Jon

Same way in CT. If anyone can clearly see that you have a gun, it is considered a threat. You have to keep it totally concealed.

Oh and in MA you CAN NOT leave it in the car EVER!!!!

It becomes Canada when you cross the border which is a line in the middle of the lake in most places, same as it becomes the USA when you cross the line going the other way, there is no international water in the middle of the great lakes.

If you are stopped by the Canadian Police (OPP) in there water with a gun plan on a long stay. You are in Canada when your in there waters. This includes a flair GUN being concered a weapon. If in Mi waters your not breaking the law.

They are called Flare Launchers not guns and they are legal in Canada, see the canadian coast guard site link below.

The hand held single launcher ones are better anyways, if you have a misfire with a gun type flare launcher you then have a proplem, can't launch another one, unload it etc, in an already distressed situation ( something is wrong if you are launching a flare right). With the individual ones you just toss the misfire in the water and get another one.

http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/obs-bsn/sbg-gsn/distress_e.htm

Gary, So that means when I was the patrol boat at the st clair race last year, I was breaking canadian laws by having my flare gun on the boat when doing laps to check out the positioning of the other patrol boats. I know they arent going to give a patrol boat a problem, but there were alot of Michigan boats ancored on the canadian side, and I'm sure just like me, alot of them had flare guns and were unaware of this canadian law. Thanks for the info.

They are unaware of this Canadian law because it does not exist, see my previous post, Flare Guns are not illegal. See the canadian coast guard site in the link !

Audiofn, it is no longer NECESSARILY illegal in Mass. to leave a gun in your car. Probably the only benefit to the newer regs. If I have more time later I will find the specifics. PM me if you really want to know.

I live in New York, I sometimes carry a gun, but when I know that I am going into another state (except for official business), I do not carry a gun. If anyone thinks that they can carry a gun from CT, by boat into and around NY, as long as they stay in the water is mistaken. I believe that some states might allow a person who legally has a gun in another state to carry it in that state but NY is not one (except for a very few exceptions, law enforcement, armored cars, authorized shooting events etc.) NY City is even more restrictive - a permit issued outside of NYC does not authorize the holder to carry the gun anywhere in NYC, even though they are residents of NY State.

Dave

Seems I heard somewere a boat is considered a "domicle"or vessel, not a vehicle and you are allowed to keep a firearm aboard for protection. This may only apply to when your in international waters, but it bears looking into. I for one carry all the time.
Dan

I believe here in Florida that it is the same as a car. The statute reads it must be "securely incased" and goes on to state a glovecompartment, a consol, or a zippered bag is considered legal. Basically, as long as it isn't open under the seat, you are ok. I got stopped by the marine patrol once, and they wanted to see EVERYTHING! After inspecting all my safety equipment, and having me open all my coolers and fish boxes, they asked me if I had any guns. I asked him "What do you need?":D They failed to see the humor in it.:( I then told them" yes, I have a pistol on board. Would you like to see it?" They said no, and acted like they wanted to be sure I didn't bring it out. Then they left.

Rob
 

Yes if you have the 12 gage flare gun it is NOT allowed in Canada. We offically cannot enter the canadian waters with our duty pistol as it is a violation of their law. Does that mean it never happens. No we have lunch with the OPP on the Archie Ferguson all the time. They are a great bunch of guys and we work well together. And yes if you have the single flare launcher I also agree that it is O.K..