Do you carry a firearm aboard your boat?

[robert843]

Nope never felt the need. Even going on trips deep into the Bahamas never have I felt a need to have it on the boat almost feels like more work then its worth. I do usually carry several knives on board some rather large with no practical boat use but could be used in an instance that a gun could have felt needed.

 

[props2you]

Only on overnight excursions when we sleep on the boat, when the propensity for danger is greater.

 

[Coheeba]

Concealed carry is just that, no one should know you have it. I would rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

 

[Shannon]

If it is allowed I carry 100%!!

 

[thcobb1]

It is like a life preserver or parachute, if you need it and don't have it it's likely you will never need it again.

 

[NavyShooter]

@NavyShooter What size shot does that fire? I know its not a carronade, but I bet you could do some serious damage if you could load iron grapeshot.
View attachment 72273
Nice Browning too!

Zipper, it's a 1.5" smoothbore. When asked what I fire out of it, my usual response is "Anything smaller than 1.5" in diameter"

Good fun!

 

[zipper]

@NavyShooter That is awesome, wish I had one. In the picture of the grape shot I posted, the big one is 2" and there are 5 - 1 1/2" iron shot. Back in my metal detecting/scuba diving days, early eighties, I found these on the bottom of Lake Champlain in the battle zone of what is known to be "The war of 1812", The battle of Plattsburgh. Looks pretty good for 200+ year old iron.

 

[txav8r]

I own guns. I would never carry on the water at my local lake. I didn’t even consider taking a gun onboard when on Lake Powell. I’m sure there are some undesirable “sailors” out there, but for the most part, boating is a family affair and just would hate to see someone throw their weight around because they were armed. I think it would be looking for trouble really.

 

[bronze_10]

I have not being in a situation on the water where I felt like I needed one.. . I have had run in with undesireables on land while anchored but the beauty of a boat is u cast off and leave them on the beach. At no time have I ever brandished a gun.. Said I had a gun or even engauaged them in any kind of conversation.. Just load everyone on the boat and cast off... But that wasn't a situation where I feel I needed it..... But I had it. My family knows where it is.... They know how to get to it and they know what to do.

I mostly always carry one. They way I look at it is I have to drive to the lake and back.. I have to stop and get fuel and ice... And I almost always have my family with me. THAT is why I carry, not for while I am on the water. The reason why I am so boat crazy is i feel like I can get away from people while on the water.. .. That's why we like cutting off the boat and floating in the middle of the lake instead of beaching. That's the only time I feel like I can truely relax. No one can just walk up on u. Sure they can drive up to u on a boat but u can see them coming and have a few min. For those that know me know I am not a skidish person. But courtesy of my job I have seen some stuff... So I carry... And no one other than my family even knows!! That's the way it should be.


Also, we don't drink...... So... Theres that. Alcohol free boat!.... ... With a gun....! Just say'n!

 

[zipper]

Both my wife and I own firearms and have them for defence due to the remote location that we live in. Neither of us have felt the need to bring one aboard. And besides, taking one over to the other side of the lake would be a no no, into New York waters. I do have several cutting/slicing tools and my grill leg to swing around and some "special skills" to use if required, but I cannot beat a speeding bullet. Vt. is pretty lax with gun laws, until some recent changes spurned by school shootings on the media. I do carry on land, since I was warned to by a local seargent, investigating a plot, reported by others, to "lure me out into the wood and f me up". The one time I wished I had it, it was laying on the truck seat a 100yds. away, on my property. One of those conspirators, entered my property, a felon with a muzzleloader, walked by 5 posted signs and me under an apple tree holding only my coffee cup. I was there to discover who the ahole was that kept cutting my fences, letting my 100 sheep scatter into the road. I came out of the bushes and followed him a few feet and let him know vocally I was there. He, was wearing full camo head to toe, similar to a ghillie suit, when he swung around with the muzzleloader leveled at me. Remember I was holding only my coffee cup. He turned around and as he left said "you better not call the game warden". I did not, I called local police to knock on his parents door and then the warden. If I had my firearm on me I would have dropped him as he turned, that action would have ruined at least one of my days. But I guess it is better than the alternative, being shot with a 50cal. I carry on land now, but not on the boat.

 

[AZ Native]

Arizona doesn't mess around.

True that. I have a conceal carry permit and carry on land but not on the boat. Just never felt the need to. I’ve seen some pretty rude (drunks) while boating but nothing that threatened my or my families life.

 

[adrianp89]

I live in Canada. Guns are....different...up here.

Some of us own them, but we do not have the same Right to Keep and Bear that you guys have down south.

The boat is mostly on my lake, and has been (a couple of times) on the Halifax Harbour. At no time have I felt a need to be armed. That said, I would be more likely to roll my cannon onboard than a handgun....taking a handgun out of my home for any purpose other than going to a gunshow, a range, a gun smith, or the cop-shop is bad-juju in Canada. Big no-no.

Although, I have considered a pintle mount for my 1919A4 (Semi) which actually IS legal in Canada.

The real question is why you haven't made a mount for the boat yet.

 

[Coheeba]

My .02...Concealed carry is a big responsibility, KNOW the laws. Practice not only physically but mentally. Run scenarios in your mind so you have some basis. When things go bad you always resort to how and what you practiced. If the gun is un-holstered, I have made the decision that NOTHING else will solve this problem and it is going to go bang. "Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6"

 

[Dan_NC]

NRA Lifetime Membership for $600 through Midway USA (Marked down from $1,500). It is a legitimate offer, my membership page has already updated for life. I believe it expires on 22APR.

https://membership.nrahq.org/forms/signup.asp?campaignid=XM032313

 

[txav8r]

It’s easy to do. To drift off a topic and into more of a political or volatile topic. I’ve done it and I’m sure you have too. But the facts are, that not everything one person finds funny, or offensive, is the same for everyone. And that’s what makes America great. Freedom. But, the freedom you have in this country and on this forum is the freedom to be you as long as it isn’t reducing someone else’s freedom to be them.

So while it is ok to ask the question and comment on whether you carry, adding the commentary on top treads on that political or volatile edge. It’s the same too if you feel so strongly about a product that you push it or campaign against it. Let’s just not go there. Here is a link to our code of conduct section. In that, you can find links to the memberships view on keeping politics and other volition subjects out of the arena.

https://jetboaters.net/forums/our-rules-and-regulations-of-operation.37/

 

[Coheeba]

NRA Lifetime Membership for $600 through Midway USA (Marked down from $1,500). It is a legitimate offer, my membership page has already updated for life. I believe it expires on 22APR.

https://membership.nrahq.org/forms/signup.asp?campaignid=XM032313

That's a good deal. I signed up years ago as a life member and over the years upgraded to benefactor level. Don't expect much, I didn't, I wanted to support the defense of our 2nd.

 

[Dan_NC]

@txav8r my apologies, I was not trying to be political, I only wanted to save members money. I thought about creating a thread under "discount codes" but assumed it would be better placed here and on the "show your guns" thread with like minded individuals. I would not intentionally break the forum's code of conduct. I just didn't think mentioning the NRA was taking a volatile or political stance. I will delete if needed.

 

[txav8r]

@Dan_NC , no harm no foul. Like I said, I’m as guilty as most! And it wasn’t directed at you, it was just a reminder to all of us that this is indeed a sensitive subject, and everyone doesn’t share the same views. I have to think before I make a PA to a plane full of passengers, because humor or fear is just different from person to person. Jetboaters is open to all, so it’s good to remind ourselves occasionally. Have fun and Dan, thanks for even considering!

 

[Mainah]

The would rather have it and not need it argument is strong one that I agree with and got me questioning why I don't carry on the boat or as often as some do in other daily scenarios . Focusing on the boat and thinking about scenarios. The effective range of a handgun is limited even in capable hands. A boat is far from a stable platform which further reduces effective range and increases the chance of off target shot placement. There are of course situations where one would have dismounted the boat as well. Without going down all of the endless what ifs I will just say this thread has me pondering it a bit more.

Great discussion from all views.

 

[bronze_10]

The would rather have it and not need it argument is strong one that I agree with and got me questioning why I don't carry on the boat or as often as some do in other daily scenarios . Focusing on the boat and thinking about scenarios. The effective range of a handgun is limited even in capable hands. A boat is far from a stable platform which further reduces effective range and increases the chance of off target shot placement. There are of course situations where one would have dismounted the boat as well. Without going down all of the endless what ifs I will just say this thread has me pondering it a bit more.

Great discussion from all views.

no one take this too literal but, ... if i have to use my gun at any range other than a few feet i feel like maybe i didn't do enough to disengage or remove myself or my family from the area. now i know we can what if it to death but i carry for defense not offense (hopefully)... NOW i will say i will defend others if i need to but my ccw is for me and my families protection. one to two feet you simply point and shoot. In those scenarios master grip, clear holster, site picture, site alignment, and slow squeeze to rear wont be required. I hope i never have to use it. I don't want to use it. I don't want to be in a position where i am thinking about getting to it. I don't want to draw down on someone and be a half a second from shooting again. I have been there a half dozen times and it is not enjoyable, (that would be another thread) but i carry because if i have to i will aerate someone to protect myself and my family.