Guns on Boats

I also carried a gun most times when ashore in SE AK, for hunting deer/birds or protection from bears on the islands which had brown bears when commercial fishing there 35-40 years ago. I think in todays world I would always have at least a shotgun aboard if traveling for long periods of time up there, down here a pistol in a lock box would suffice my conservitive, redneck needs. I do not see it to be a big issue whatever one chooses on this subject. Back then we just declared any long guns with Canadian customs and it was no problem, my father in law shipped his handgun from a liscenced FF dealer here to one in Ketch. for a fee as I recall.
 
About the 2500 rounds/month to maintain competence: this was given by the
x-military speaker at the seminar which many attendees felt was embellished some.
But consider he most likely was 'in' the military at that time so Uncle Sam
(read you and me) was picking up the tab. For me, I remain happy being
classified as incompetent.

The main seminar points: training, safety, knowledge, responsibility, staying
within the law, how to avoid using in the first place.

Because you are frightened, consider the effect on you of squeezing off a round
or two, with about any centerfire or even rimfire weapon, inside the small
enclosure of one of our boats. Most likely anyone inside will end up deaf for a
couple weeks, maybe longer. And if your target is hit, maybe the younger brother
of a local warlord or local County Sheriff, I can only imagine the 'treatment' you
will receive as the perpetrator especially since you may regard yourself as the
victim.

If you feel that carrying a deadly weapon, on a boat or elsewhere, is not for you
then do not do so.

On the water, salted more than unsalted, your precious metallic protector and
companion needs extra care. If neglected for too long, it will end up being no
more use than an extra anchor.

I look at legal carry as having a savings account or nice stash under the
mattress to use in a (life threatening) emergency if I need to. Lots of responsibility
comes with this decision and, like the cash in reserve, I hope I never have to use it.


Happy boating.

Aye.
 
Our instructor told us that the vast majority of in home use of a defensive weapon was effective if the weapon was simply fired. Casual bad guys are actually very cowardly. He told us that accuracy was less important than making the gun go bang, and the more hysterically you scream while making the gun go bang, the more likely that you wont hit the person, but the higher the likelihood that the individual will run away. The goal with personal protection is less about shooting someone than it is to get them to turn and run. If you happen to hit the person with a bullet, then that is just the way it is if you are a scum bag egg stealing skunk of a human being being in someones house or threatening someone anywhere.

If the person is a pro, then you were probably shot and killed before you even knew they were in the home or office or wherever. They will have a gun on you long before even the most well trained gun owner can pull their weapon. I assume that if I'm ever confronted with an armed assailant that I'm at a huge disadvantage, but I would have to make a judgement call about going for my weapon. Knowing that the criminal armed assailant has no problem killing me and my family in these days, I'd probably try to get my weapon out and fire it. Odds are the other guy will win. Without my trying, the odds are 100% that he will win.
 
westward":sp9qj4j4 said:
My feeling is against carrying onboard. I don't really see the need and I certainly see some pitfalls: Minor altercations which sometimes happen at the ramp, fuel dock, etc. become deadly when the gun gets waved around. The gun is stolen or accidentally misused by kids or guests. What do you do if you travel somewhere that guns are not welcome? Your trip takes on a less serene vibe d/t the presence of a gun and its implications. I do support YOUR right to legally carry a gun however, and I hope you do so responsibly. Just not my thing I guess.
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westward, I'd like to raise a couple points.
Waving a gun around is brandishing which is illegal and stupid, stupid, stupid. More of a movie stunt though a few criminals may actually do it.
If the gun is on your person, kids and guests don't have access to or even know about it.
A properly carried gun does not affect the vibe at all.
A gun in a drawer somewhere does no good. If it hits the fan, instant access is needed.
Concealed carry card holders as a group are more law abiding than the general public by a significant amount.
As far as travel goes, check the laws ahead of time.
Thank you for supporting my 2nd Amendment rights.
 
I carry two............

1. a 410 Snake Charmer single shot shotgun.

Used for dispatching large halibut. Not happening much lately.

2. A 22 cal 9 shot revolver.

Used for smaller halibut dispatching and much easier on old ears.

Halibut are much easier and safer to handle in the boat after a good dose of hot lead.
 
God I miss all the good stuff. I speed read thru some of the last three pages. So i will just skip to my thoughts on the question, well questions.

1. Should you carry a gun on a boat? hell if i know what you should do but I knew what I should and can do. If we disagree then so what. Your choices are yours and thankfully for the 2nd amendment mine are mine. My choice does not effect your choice at all.

2. I carry more and more often these days and just bought a smaller conceal carry that allows me to carry more often with less weight. Its funny to me that people state that me carrying upsets or even makes other people "nervous" . I know that at lest 5 people at the friday harbor events carry. No one else even knows or suspects. People carry around you all the time. Hence the word concealed.

3. Do I need a gun on the boat? I don't know why carrying on the boat is a separate issue from carrying it any where else. So I will leave that questions answer as " see answer #1" Your choice.

4. What do I carry. Rm380. Its new and I like it. I have only 200 rounds thru it so far but I can hold a 3 inch group at 10 yard of continues fire so far, still getting used to the trigger. But that is good enough for what I will have to use it for. Yes you should practice if you carry. Do you need 1000 rounds a month?? You my , I dont. 100 rounds a month is just fine but I was a marine ( still am) and while a Marine I spent two years on the range ( stone bay ) as a instructor for pistol and rifle requal.

5. If I was going to carry for bear in Alaska I would carry something else, most likely a pump shoot gun. But just like whether you should carry or not what you should carry is your choice. There is no good in trying to convince others its the right choice. When people ask me what gun is the best I all ways say " the one you carry and practice with" A gun locked up is of no use. A unloaded gun is a rock. If you chose to carry practice and carry it.

Well that should cover it. You dont need a reason to carry because we can, carry what you like but please practice. Don't waste time convincing people that are not interested in you opinion that you are right. Unless we are talking about downriggers and releases, then all bets are off.

I am a member of gun range in Marysville Wa and if anyone here needs to come shot or needs a lesson or two or just wants to see what it is really like to shoot call me. I will make the time and take you to the range. I am ok with a pistol , alright on a shot gun and better with a long gun. But I am one of those people that is a better teacher then a shooter. I have coached Marines that could not qualify at all into expert badge shooters.
 
Oh I forgot the safe issue. If you are going to be on the boat for more then a day you might not be able to want carry every time you leave the boat . so a small pistol safe is a good idea. we have onei n the house that is easy and fast to get to the opens by finger prints. Set for me or Susan. I think it would be a good idea on the boat. Also a good place to keep extra cash, Id etc..
 
In four pages of comments, I haven't seen anyone here question the right to carry, even if the thought of it makes some people uncomfortable. So perhaps we have reached a consensus.
 
Pandion":3offbr0b said:
In four pages of comments, I haven't seen anyone here question the right to carry, even if the thought of it makes some people uncomfortable. So perhaps we have reached a consensus.
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As the only Canadian to wade into this issue so far, I can say that in my view the issue of possession and use of firearms probably highlights one of the greatest cultural differences between our two countries. While the merits or demerits of our vastly different approaches to firearms are hotly debated, I am not seeking to provoke any such discussions here. Our countries developed along different historical and constitutional paths, which explains in large part the radically different perspectives.

Suffice to say that in my 53 years, having lived in many varied parts of Canada, from big cities to rural areas, I have never felt the need or urge to carry a firearm as one would wear a watch (open or concealed), just because of what may happen in my ordinary day to day life, let alone when boating! (We harpoon big halibut!)

In fact, the only times it was ever seen as necessary to take a firearm somewhere was when some friends and I helicoptered into a remote tributary of the Taku River in the furthest northwestern corner of British Columbia to fly fish for salmon. A shotgun in case of an aggressive grizzly bear was taken, but despite the grizzlies outnumbering us overwhelmingly, no shots were ever fired.

As proud as you are of your 2nd Amendment rights, I am equally proud of the fact that I have never felt the need to arm myself because of what my fellow Canadians or my Canadian government might do to me. Our democracy, constitution, and daily life are strong and healthy, and manage to stay that way without a right to bear arms.

Just sharing my very different perspective on this issue.
 
Saxe Point.........
I am glad that you chimed in on this gun issue with perspective from another country, our good friends the Canadians ehh.

My wife and I have traveled around the USA twice, to Mexico (Cancun & Matzatlan) 6 times and most of Canada in our RV. I never once felt it necessary to carry any type of gun.

I have friends in Victoria that we live with in Arizona in the winter. We will discuss this subject over a brewski. They have never brought up the subject before.

Thx for your info.
 
Jack in Alaska":339o9bew said:
My wife and I have traveled around the USA twice, to Mexico (Cancun & Matzatlan) 6 times and most of Canada in our RV. I never once felt it necessary to carry any type of gun.
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That is kind of like saying (to keep the discussion boating-related), "in all of our nautical travels we have never felt the need to carry a sea anchor, or a survival suit, or an epirb, or a spare anchor, or a signaling mirror, or a VHF radio, or survival rations, or paper charts ... or twin outboards, or Campbells Soup."

Different circumstances, different life philosophies, different tastes require different levels of preparation. Personally speaking, there are places I wouldn't much care to go without a gun--discreetly and legally concealed or carried on a sling over my shoulder. Places where conciliatory language or Akido or a baseball bat or bear spray might suddenly seem inadequate.

I hope you don't intend to imply that because you have never felt the need to be armed there is something irrational about people who do. How condescending that would be.

Saxe Point":339o9bew said:
As proud as you are of your 2nd Amendment rights, I am equally proud of the fact that I have never felt the need to arm myself because of what my fellow Canadians or my Canadian government might do to me.
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The U.S. won its freedom through armed, bloody rebellion, and perhaps that fact has colored our outlook on life. Maybe you think we could have gone about things in a more civilized fashion--just asked Britain, nicely, to let us go. But there you have it: there are still a great many of us, south of our shared border, who subscribe to the motto, "Live Free or Die." (In Wisconsin, they say, the motto is "Eat Cheese or Die.")

And while I am happy for you that you are unconcerned about what your fellow Canadians might do to you, I can assure you it just ain't that safe in all places down here. Years ago I was a daily newspaper reporter in Philadelphia, spent lots of time in the inner city, and know for a fact that many residents of the City of Brotherly Love couldn't imagine venturing out in their neighborhood without a little added protection in their pockets.
 
Said in the film Fury: "Ideals are peaceful. History is violent."

Like it or not, we all are part of it.
And, to some degree, we shape our own destiny.

Aye.
 
Pandion":212z7uf8 said:
In four pages of comments, I haven't seen anyone here question the right to carry, even if the thought of it makes some people uncomfortable. So perhaps we have reached a consensus.
Click to expand...
Or perhaps we have just reached the point where everyone realizes that no amount of conversation will change anyone's mind and that often additional conversation simply hardens previously held opinions. It's dangerous to assume that silence equals tacit agreement.
 
As a US Citizen, I would echo Saxe Point's comments. I do not carry, nor feel the need too. Nor do I care that others do, if they are responsible with their choices! That doesn't mean I feel unarmed or unable to protect myself or my family. It just means I don't feel the need to carry a gun. My two cents worth! Colby
 
Jack in Alaska":1mfrfmb2 said:
Halibut are much easier and safer to handle in the boat after a good dose of hot lead.
Click to expand...

That's the only reason I can think of to carry a gun on board, and even then I think that there are better ways to handle the situation.

http://www.c-brats.com/albums/album2395/halibut2.jpg

Anybody who has done this will tell you that it's not that easy. The fish is moving. The boat is moving.* My picture shows about the maximum range of effectiveness of a gun on board a boat. Anything further and you are just shooting in the general direction. Unless, of course, you are shooting a family member or guest who is on board with you (or them shooting you). I could see that working just fine.

Second reason is that of all the things that are likely to save me from harm while boating, a gun is so far down on the list that I run out of room by having the more important items on board. Everything on a CD 16 has to serve several purposes, and I can't think of a good reason for a gun. Unless, of course, it were big enough so that I could use it as a third anchor (which would be more important from a safety point of view).

Mark

* This reminds me of a cartoon I saw years ago. The picture was a crane loading a pool table on to a large yacht. The dock foreman was asking the yacht owner "Are you sure?" A gun on a boat has the same issue.
 
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