[NICHOLSON58]

MD? I assume Maryland.

You can pack in the USA according to Federal and State laws. Mostly, you can carry unloaded guns in a case under the various & similar laws for hunting weapons (long guns) while a vessel is under way. Most states do not have highly onerous rules for hunting guns. You are not generally permitted to discharge a weapon inside city limits or within a specified proximity to an ocupied dwelling etc. You are not permitted to hunt from a moving vessel. You will have more trouble with hand guns. These may require varying levels of registration, licensing, tracking, training etc. depending on the state. Some states have concealed weapons rights etc. and some other states may not recognize them. If you plan to hunt under way (some people hunt waterfoul in season) then it is simple to find out the state's DNR regulations on transport. Its really not any different than crossing a state line with a gun. You don't declair it to anybody etc. Your live-on home is afforded the same legal status as a land-based home. This also protects you from illeagle search and seizure. This is not always respeced by some members of the police - after all there was 911 so they think they can do anything. After all, you might be a 7 mph terrorist. If you are boarded by police or USCG, immeadiately declare you are armed and be polite. It will go a long way if your guns are cased and locked and if your ammunition is locked seperately.

That said, I do not plan to park anywhere, especially in the U.S., where I plan to have to shoot someone. I am more worried that some crook would steel my gun, use it on me or in some other crime.

If you are concerned about personal safety, consider what mayhem a flair pistol might cause on an approaching boat. I figgure burning magnesium bouncing around a wheel-house or gas cans would divert attention. There are also lots of other less lethal means to handle the normal low-end crook.

 

[NICHOLSON58]

Sounds about as I would expect. I hunt from my Jon boat, haul guns, decoys, ammunition. (Michigan) Its no big deal here. If you intend to discharge a gun the means of propulsion must be off and the vessel slowed to essentially random brownian motion. If you point the gun at Federally regulated migratory birds you must have a license, Fed stamp, non-toxic shot, in season, not in a posted no-hunt or proteced zone, not in city limits, not within 150 yards of an occupied building. You must also have a reasonable expectation of and you shall attempt to retrive your trophy. See, its easy! Oh, by the way, the gun is supposed to be unloaded if the vessel is moving under power or sail. The State DNR doesn't care what boat you hunt from here. We are free here to trasport any legal firearm here in whatever vessel we choose. Sorry to hear the east coast liberals have managed to circumvent your 2nd amentment rights.

I didn't say that asserting your 4th amendment rights would go over well. It is especially unlikely to go far with a Federal agent. You will probably do better with county and state enforcement especially if you've done nothing and you can show your life jackets, registration etc. We had a series of incidents off Cleveland a few years ago where the city water police and the CG-AUX decided to start pulling sailors over for inspections during race events. We collectively told them to pound salt and made it stick. Most enforcement around here recognizes sailors as a pretty good set of extra eyes when they need them and generally safer and better prepared than most.

One thing apparently difficult for locals to understand is that registered vessels may not display state numbers. I still must display the water use tag. That used to really bother the county sheriff and city cops - mostly untrained except for issuing tickets. Registered vessels get stopped regularly & even by the same officers.