Do you carry a firearm aboard your boat?

I have never brought a weapon on board. Mostly for the reasons that have already been stated in this thread... Our lake is small and civilized with a police station on the water, I go on the boat to get away from my daily routine, the IWB holster would sag my board shorts, etc...

However, I think if I were camping from the boat or heading out to somewhere very remote, I would bring my carry pistol.

Once when I was around 16-17 years old (before I had my own handgun), I was out fishing with a friend of mine (his dad’s boat) on lake Norman. We were out into the evening after most of the other boats had already called it a day. When we were headed in, a man was hanging around the docks. We didn’t think too much of it as we exchanged pleasantries while tying off to the dock. As soon as my buddy started heading in to get the truck, the man stopped him, brandished a firearm, and demanded money. Not knowing what to do, we complied and it fortunately worked out in our favor (I am writing this after all). Ever since that day, I have always made it a point to have a firearm handy. In the unlikely event that someone wants more from my family, friends, or I than just a few bucks from my wallet.

More than just a few bucks from my wallet. I don't want that point to go unnoticed. In some situations if I had a gun on me and the man wanted money I may simply give him the money.. Its not right but its better than a gun fight. The gun I carry is for the people who want tmore than that.. Who are willing to harm first..

I agree, a firearm is not for de-escalating a situation. A firearm is to make things equal should de-escalation fail.

My wife and I both carry our firearms on the boat. They are secured in a pack that is placed inside a compartment. The firearms are on our persons when traveling to the launch ramp and when retrieving the boat. With 3 kids on board we don't drink or get crazy but Its my duty as husband and father to keep the family safe. That doesnt include just firearms though. Having good situational awareness is paramount and will save you more than any tool can can.

@Overtime81 - I couldn't agree with you more on the duty and role as Father/caretaker as well as the constant necessity for retaining your situational awareness.
(which means, to me, little to no alcohol)

Though "my" sidearm may not be on the boat, my wife's remains in her purse and is ready available. I am however more likely to grab and utilize the flare gun if such a situation arose. (especially at night). It is non-lethal and will obtain more attention, with a smoke trail to show where it came from and who is the perpetrator.

As for children obtaining access to the firearms - that is a completely different subject. I (personally) have always been a firm believer that you should not "child-proof" your guns, but rather "gun-proof" your children. A firearm is merely a (very dangerous) tool, and must be respected from a young age. No different than how children learn to stay clear of mamma's stove.

We only have one boy (12 y/o) and other than adult family members rarely have visitors on the boat . Anyone of who know better than to even get near my wife's purse. Mamma protects her Louie Vuitton!! lol

When my son was like 5 and started playing with nerf guns I made him follow the gun safety rules... Finger off trigger.. Dont muzzle someone... Pretend it is loaded at all times. .

Nope, illegal to carry on COE lake where I boat.

Never felt the need for it while boating.

Being in FL more for the wildlife then people defense. We wakeboard in a narrow at times river. Gators are what I worry about when boating.

Other for me. Reason is I have never needed one while on the lakes. In my RV? You bet, every time we travel. But the boat just seems like an odd place to carry one. I've been boating for 30+ years and never had a situation where I felt I needed a force multiplier of that level.

rsg1963 said:

Other for me. Reason is I have never needed one while on the lakes. In my RV? You bet, every time we travel. But the boat just seems like an odd place to carry one. I've been boating for 30+ years and never had a situation where I felt I needed a force multiplier of that level.

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But you have felt the need in your RV? Seems even more of a mild mannered environment than the “Lake”crowd, that can be a little out of control with liquid courage at times.

txav8r said:

But you have felt the need in your RV? Seems even more of a mild mannered environment than the “Lake”crowd, that can be a little out of control with liquid courage at times.

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Good question. The simple answer is "yes' several times actually. Once with a group of 20-something 4-wheelers drunk off their assets (we boon-dock camp mostly in unpopulated areas) decided they would invite themselves to our camping equipment and coolers we had in the area while we were away. One was armed and when we drove up they actually walked towards us like we were intruding, and the guy with the 30-30 actually took it off his back (still not sure what he was thinking would go down). That was enough for me to pull 'ol faithful out of the backseat and walked into the campsite asking if they needed anything. Apparently, they didn't because they left immediately and two of them apologized on their way out. The other two times was with Bears. They had arms so I felt I should too. One left without incident the other took one round in the air to persuade him/her (I can't tell without getting cozy with them) to leave.

txav8r said:

But you have felt the need in your RV? Seems even more of a mild mannered environment than the “Lake”crowd, that can be a little out of control with liquid courage at times.

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That's a very good question and I think @rsg1963 answered it quite well. (Imho)

I carry mine, and my wife hers, not for preticted events, rather we do our best to completely avoid any circumstance or situation that may lead to such an escalated event, but instead we carry and train for the unforeseen.

I promise you no father or mother thought they'd need a side arm just to watch a movie with their family that horrific day in Aurora Colorado. Most, including myself, would've thought arming yourself would just be silly to go to a movie theater.... however history teaches us otherwise.
(Just one example, pick any recent mall shooting, car jacking, robbery, etc)

Every day carry means exactly that..... carry it EVERY day. No matter if you're in town, out camping, or playing on the boat.

(Just a rant from a guy who used to be a paramedic and had to see the harsh reality of people not being prepared)

Nearly impossible to carry in NJ. I would if NJ laws would allow it but the new governor just made the laws tougher so that wont happen anytime soon.

I carry mine, and my wife hers, not for preticted events, rather we do our best to completely avoid any circumstance or situation that may lead to such an escalated event, but instead we carry and train for the unforeseen.

I promise you no father or mother thought they'd need a side arm just to watch a movie with their family that horrific day in Aurora Colorado. Most, including myself, would've thought arming yourself would just be silly to go to a movie theater.... however history teaches us otherwise.
(Just one example, pick any recent mall shooting, car jacking, robbery, etc)

Every day carry means exactly that..... carry it EVERY day. No matter if you're in town, out camping, or playing on the boat.

(Just a rant from a guy who used to be a paramedic and had to see the harsh reality of people not being prepared)[/QUOTE]

This guy gets it.

I guess I just don't understand the mindset of people carrying only in certain places or vehicles. If you can legally carry and you are trained and comfortable in doing so, why not carry everywhere and everyday? Violence doesn't just occur at the campground. What about your travels to and from the lake? Towing a big flashy Yamaha Jet Boat could catch the attention of some unsavory characters while you fill up with gas and get some snacks at the local stop n' rob.
I'm with Bennie on this. I get to witness what violence people are willing to do to other people and its not pretty. If you've never seen the aftermath of a violent crime, keep it that way. For that reason, as a father and husband I carry mine and my wife carries hers. Is a firearm a universal problem solver, of course not. But I like to think of it as added insurance just like wearing your seat belt, carrying a fire extinguisher and a spare tire.

[QUOTE
This guy gets it.

I guess I just don't understand the mindset of people carrying only in certain places or vehicles. If you can legally carry and you are trained and comfortable in doing so, why not carry everywhere and everyday? Violence doesn't just occur at the campground. What about your travels to and from the lake? Towing a big flashy Yamaha Jet Boat could catch the attention of some unsavory characters while you fill up with gas and get some snacks at the local stop n' rob.
I'm with Bennie on this. I get to witness what violence people are willing to do to other people and its not pretty. If you've never seen the aftermath of a violent crime, keep it that way. For that reason, as a father and husband I carry mine and my wife carries hers. Is a firearm a universal problem solver, of course not. But I like to think of it as added insurance just like wearing your seat belt, carrying a fire extinguisher and a spare tire.[/QUOTE]

I actually totally understand your viewpoint, it's just half-informed. Carrying a gun in this area is not allowed unless you have a CCP and those do not get issued very often. So yeah, 90% of the time I have no gun on me. Gasp! Sometimes I am carrying and most times not, due to many reasons having nothing to do with 'want'.
And towing a "big flashy Yamaha Jet Boat" can catch all the attention it wants. I drive where ever in the hell I feel and have NEVER once been worried about stopping, being stopped or otherwise. Situational awareness trumps weaponry anyway.

rsg1963 said:

Situational awareness trumps weaponry anyway

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I couldn't agree more!!

I cannot answer this poll since living in GA...

There is a loophole in the law if I understood my uncle correctly though.

Food for thought. . . .

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-ar-magothy-attempted-murder-20180702-story,amp.html

Just because YOU don't wanna fight and may think you boat in areas where people like this aren't found too often. . . . People like this guy exist everywhere.