Laws governing having a gun on a boat vary widely from state to state, and even waterway to waterway. Do your homework!
States often closely tie boating gun laws to hunting regulations. Know the laws for the area in which you intend to carry and realize that you may fall under the jurisdiction of the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or even the U.S. Coast Guard.
Subscribe to the USCCA YouTube Channel
Assuming that it’s legal for you to possess a gun on a boat, holster security should be your top priority. Get a holster with active retention that securely clamps the gun into the holster and the holster onto your belt.
Humidity, salt, and moisture take a toll on firearms. Be sure to stock up on cleaning solvents and oils if you intend to carry concealed on a boat.
The safety and security of your firearm are the top priority when dealing with a gun on a boat.
Transcript
What are the particulars of carrying a firearm on a boat? In this video, I’ll be answering that question.
The laws vary widely from state to state whether or not you are allowed to carry concealed on a boat. Laws regarding concealed and open carry of firearms in vehicles often change as you cross borders. Carrying in watercraft is complicated by the fact that you’re no longer just dealing with the state in question’s Department of Transportation (DOT) and conventional law enforcement agencies.
As soon as you bring water into the equation, now you’re probably dealing with the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or its equivalent, maybe even maritime law. States get particular about carrying guns on the water since that is so closely tied to hunting regulations. And there’s far from agreement across the board as to what is allowed where.
As usual, you’re going to want to get letters from your state and county law enforcement agencies declaring exactly what the law is, since not all law enforcement officers know exactly what all the laws are that they may be enforcing. And be certain that you follow those rules
How to Carry a Gun on a Boat
As for the ins and outs of carrying on the water, your main concern is going to be holster security. That holster is going to, not only do everything it usually does on land, but also has to do it a lot more thoroughly than you might normally demand when you’re on the boat.
Your pistol getting jarred out of its holster in your living room is embarrassing. Such a thing happening on the water can lead you to being one of the only guys who’s actually telling the truth when he says, “I lost my gun in a boating accident.”
If you’re going to be carrying aboard a vessel of any kind, a holster with active retention is a must. I love the Safariland ALS, but to each his own. All I ask is that you get a system that locks your pistol onto your belt and that it locks your pistol into your holster.
And stock up on solvents and oils. The life of a gun aboard ship is a difficult one. There’s a reason our nation’s sailors are constantly oiling and re-oiling everything they can’t paint and repaint. Understand there are lots of challenges … and not just legal challenges. You’ve got to know all the laws, rules and regulations and follow them.
But there are real challenges of carrying a defensive firearm with you on a boat. Consider the fact that most people are boating for recreation and are probably going to be swimming or water skiing or something like that. And, honestly, you can’t hang that gun or duty belt on your speedo.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Boating with a Gun
Understand where you might be putting your gun, how you might be securing your gun. If you want to have a case that floats, keep the gun inside there.
How much access do you need to your gun during a boating trip?
How quickly can you get it out?
Do you want to have it with you at all or should it be locked up somewhere else?
All of these questions you have to answer individually. The prime goal is the safety and security of the firearm.
