Firearms Aboard and Piracy

[Lancer28]

Question -

What kind of hurdles shall I face if I take along my 12 Ga Shotgun, .223 Rifle and .357 Sig pistol when I go to cruise from Corpus Christi, Texas Through the Gulf to Bermuda, then along through all of the US and not US islands there? (Except Cuba and Haiti, which I have no interest in visiting)

I understand there is higher piracy rate in these areas as previously recorded. I am a Marine Veteran with 10.5 years of service, second award Purple Heart from Somolia and Iraq (OIF/OEF), Combat Action, and I feel I have the knowledge and skills to safely employ such tools aboard to defend myself.

In addition to a 4' active radar antenna, I also have SSB, so I could potentially track incoming vessels as well as communicate with shore if needed. I don't plan on anchoring with a radar reflector up or lights (we rotate through watches anyhow). I also didn't plan on running a reflector or the nav lights in "hot" areas at night. I have read a book about travelling in these areas, but none touch on firearm posession.

My concern would be customs or other naval officials from other countries; if that is really a problem? I was also thinking of making another trip from Texas to the Panama Canal and back up to San Diego next year as well. Does anyone know of issues with firearms there or along those routes?

Thanks for any insight!

Robert

[Cruisingdad]

Robert,

First of all, thank you for your service.

Second, leave the guns at home. If they so much as catch you with a bullet in Mexico, they will toss you in a Mexican Federal pin for years, may take your boat, or both.

The right to bear arms seems pretty limited to the US. Even following their procedures for entry may be a nightmare and useless since many of the countries make you give them the gun while you are there (and all bullets).

The best course for safety is to travel in numbers and avoid hot spots. Venezuela, Columbia, Haiti are the worst ones right now as I recall. Check Noonsite for more updates. Also, most countries allow you to carry SOLAS approved signalling devices which are made of 12 ga. flares or small mm firearms. Your money and safety is better put there, IMHO. If you want examples, let me know as I carry them currently.

For all the hype and movies, Piracy really is few and far between in this hemisphere. As long as you don't do something stupid, you should be fine. You should be more worried about hurricanes, freak waves, and maragaritas.

Seriously.

- CD

[PalmettoSailor]

While I wish it were otherwise, I think carrying firearms aboard almost guarantee's you will have a run in with third world law enforcement, most likely landing you in the kind of prison were a different kind of pirate lurks.

[hellosailor]

Robert, in the US you will upset any boading party that might come aboard. One of the questions they may ask is whether you have firearms aboard, and no matter how you answer they'll get upset.

In Bermuda, even your flare pistol is considered a firearm and it must be secured or surrendered during your stay. That may give you some idea how the rest would be treated.

If you must travel with something, a shotgun that is "obviously" of a hunting design is your best bet. It will still upset some folks, but "duck hunting" is something they have heard of. You'll probably get your shotgun back--but I'd make sure it was physically locked or the firing pins removed before handing it over to anyone's custody.

[GySgt]

Darn, I guess the 25mm Chain Gun mounted on my bow spirit might get me in trouble (joking)

[Cruisingdad]

You know, this thread brings up an interesting question: Have any of you whom have been boarded by the USCG been asked about weapons on board?

[hellosailor]

No, but a Turkish airport security officer once asked me if I had any weapons with me, and with a straight face I answered "None except the tactical nuclear device in the heel of my left boot."

He said "OK, get on the plane."

For real. in the early 70's.


Gunny, you have to realize that a Chain Gun is a Class-III fully automatic weapon and that presents problems unless you've got the tax stamp for it. And, the MARPOL violation for every cartridge casing that goes overboard. OTOH, a manually cranked Gatling Gun is "just" a rifle, no special licensing needed, in the US.

[Pamlicotraveler]

Customs official in Bermuda asked us if we had any weapons and I told him no, just a flaregun. He said "don't take it into the bank with you."

[GySgt]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

No, but a Turkish airport security officer once asked me if I had any weapons with me, and with a straight face I answered "None except the tactical nuclear device in the heel of my left boot."

He said "OK, get on the plane."

For real. in the early 70's.


Gunny, you have to realize that a Chain Gun is a Class-III fully automatic weapon and that presents problems unless you've got the tax stamp for it. And, the MARPOL violation for every cartridge casing that goes overboard. OTOH, a manually cranked Gatling Gun is "just" a rifle, no special licensing needed, in the US.

True, but think of the fun not to mention how many slips will become available to me. Kinda wonder about a spear gun or cross bow tho?

[NCountry]

I would like to hear from people that have actually circumnavigated with firearms. I tend to (quoting my wife) devour every bit of reading material in sight and just this week I was reading an article by a circumnavigator that casually mentioned how common it seemed for americans to have fire arms aboard. I wish he had expanded on that statement to include what types of firearms. He did state that it seemed to be a unique trait of american sailors to have fire arms on board.