Discussion of taking firearms to Bimini

[Bennie]

The US Embassy in Nassau lists information on traveling to Bimini at http://nassau.usembassy.gov/entry_exit_bahamas.html

Vessels with Weapons, Firearms or Ammunition Aboard:

A pleasure vessel entering The Bahamas shall be allowed to import a maximum of three (3) firearms inclusive of handguns, rifles, and shotguns, which such calibre of firearms shall not exceed three hundred and eight (308) calibres. Two hundred fifty (250) rounds of ammunition are allowed per firearm. You must provide the serial number, name of the manufacturer, plus an exact count of ammunition. While you are allowed to have a firearm on your boat, you cannot remove it. Weapons must be under lock and key at all times. However, for opened center console vessels, if a firearm is on board such a vessel, The Royal Bahamas Police Force will detain the weapon until the vessel's departure. In cases of emergencies, which require your departure by air, you must notify Bahamian Police or Customs. They will accompany you to retrieve the firearm and present you with a receipt. Upon your return to the island, Bahamian Police or Customs will escort you to your vessel and return your firearm. Any infraction of this law will be dealt with severely and The Bahamas has recently increased both the penalties and sentencing for violators of local firearm laws.

To those of you that have crossed ... what if any firearms are you bringing with you? Are there any reasons for them? I normally carry a small .308 on my vessel anyway, is this what you suggest?
According to all of the movies the pirates are in the Caribbeans... so wasn't sure what if any was normally brought along. --- Please advise

 

[Andy S]

To those of you that have crossed ... what if any firearms are you bringing with you? Are there any reasons for them? I normally carry a small .308 on my vessel anyway, is this what you suggest?
According to all of the movies the pirates are in the Caribbeans... so wasn't sure what if any was normally brought along. --- Please advise

I have never felt threatened in the Bahamas, so for me I don't see the need to carry. Also, if you declare your weapon while going through customs you will have to turn it into the Police during your stay in the Bahamas, so it won't do it any good.

 

[robert843]

I agree with @Andy S 100% and as he mentioned our first-hand experience this year I do not care what the law says they took the gun from us apart arrival in Bimini. and as he mentioned our first-hand experience this year I do not care what the law says they took the gun from us apart arrival in Bimini. From what I understand the way It was kind of explain was you must be in a cabin cruiser are yacht to keep it

 

[Bennie]

I agree with @Andy S ... From what I understand the way It was kind of explain was you must be in a cabin cruiser are yacht to keep it

Ok, that makes sense. I thought I could just install a small tactile safe and keep it there. But as mentioned earlier, in regards to fishing, rules change and the newest information isn't always readily accessible.

Thanks guys

 

[MrMoose]

@Bennie , you might want to look into the regs yourself. Maybe shotguns have different regs.

 

[robert843]

Yeah I'm not sure if they are different or not that maybe something to look into. They were @1948Isaac guns but he had a Kalashnikov (Ak-47) and a Taurus Judge they took both. We thought the same thing as long as they were locked up he could keep them but they were not having it I don't know what there problem was.

 

[Bruce]

I asked about this at customs. Bimini has a special policy on firearms. They take firearms from any boat that does not have a cabin to sleep in then return them on your departure. @1948Isaac had the unpleasant experience of having his firearms collected. Perhaps he can tell us more.

I understand that you can keep firearms on your boat if you clear customs elsewhere in the Bahamas.

I agree with Andy that having spent approximately 23 days in Bimini I have not found any need for a firearm.

 

[Bennie]

Yeah I'm not sure if they are different or not that maybe something to look into. They were @1948Isaac guns but he had a Kalashnikov (Ak-47) and a Taurus Judge they took both. We thought the same thing as long as they were locked up he could keep them but they were not having it I don't know what there problem was.

I can see why they would've taken his. A 7.62 AK and a .44 Judge are both larger calibers than they state are allowed. The regs say that a .308 is the largest allowed caliber.

The exact Bahama area doesn't appear to provide and threats, I was more concerned about the crossing and possible interactions there.

 

[Bennie]

Thank you @Bruce - that makes sense. They'd allow you to protect yourself if you sleep on your vessel. We should all be "safe" on their resort.

Maybe if I stop watching Fox news I'll stop worrying so dang much.

 

[Bruce]

The exact Bahama area doesn't appear to provide and threats, I was more concerned about the crossing and possible interactions there.

Our boats are relatively fast and of low value. I do not see getting caught up in anything on the crossing either way.

I carry most of the time. I am very pro carry. If I was headed to the Exhumas or Andros I would clear customs elsewhere so I could take firearm(s).

I took and declared a 45 in 2014. It sat in a safe on the boat the entire time. Having it was not useful. It was simply something to worry about.

 

[Bennie]

Just sent this to the Bahama embassy for clarification: --- I'll advise of their reply.

Hello -

I would like to travel with my .308 handgun (ammunition less than 50) that will remain in a small safe that is secured to vessel.
I have a 24ft jet boat with a small safe that is bolted/secured under a seat in my vessel.

Please advise if this will be permitted.

 

[Bruce]

Just sent this to the Bahama embassy for clarification: --- I'll advise of their reply.

Hello -

I would like to travel with my .308 handgun (ammunition less than 50) that will remain in a small safe that is secured to vessel.
I have a 24ft jet boat with a small safe that is bolted/secured under a seat in my vessel.

Please advise if this will be permitted.

It would be permitted anywhere other than Bimini.

The "Bimini Yachtmans Firearms Guide" is some sort of local rule. I asked the customs officer to clarify the "Center Console" part this year and he said they would take all firearms from any boat without a cabin.

 

[Bennie]

I asked the customs officer to clarify the "Center Console" part this year and he said they would take all firearms from any boat without a cabin.

I'm fine with them taking the firearm while I'm there... as long as they return it!
I'm just southern boy - I need my sidearm. Would rather have my .45 on me, but I'll keep that one in the truck.
I'm just using to having it on me.

 

[robert843]

I can see why they would've taken his. A 7.62 AK and a .44 Judge are both larger calibers than they state are allowed. The regs say that a .308 is the largest allowed caliber.

The exact Bahama area doesn't appear to provide and threats, I was more concerned about the crossing and possible interactions there.

I know I was having a little fun lol. I'm not sure which type of hand gun he had but it was nothing like what I described. As @ bruce mention basically we were told if you didn't have a cabin they were taking the gun. The checking into another port maybe an option as Cat Cay has customs and you can check in there versus Bimini but before warned the have a very high landing fee at their marina to do so unless you buy fuel while there as well.

 

[Bennie]

I know I was having a little fun lol. I'm not sure which type of hand gun he had but it was nothing like what I described. As @ bruce mention basically we were told if you didn't have a cabin they were taking the gun. The checking into another port maybe an option as Cat Cay has customs and you can check in there versus Bimini but before warned the have a very high landing fee at their marina to do so unless you buy fuel while there as well.

When you say "take the gun" are you referring to confiscating the firearm or merely holding it in their possession while you are in Bimini and releasing to you when you are ready to depart?

What was your experience @1948Isaac ?

 

[Bruce]

When you say "take the gun" are you referring to confiscating the firearm or merely holding it in their possession while you are in Bimini and releasing to you when you are ready to depart?

What was your experience @1948Isaac ?

The Bimini police department takes possession (it will be detained) as described in the Yachtsman's Firearms Guide that I posted above. They return the firearm to you on departure.

Having a firearm for the crossing is useless. There is a much higher chance of being beamed up by an alien crew led by Elvis than any vessel with ill intentions running you down. Bimini has a history of piracy but nothing recent. It is too close to US Coast Guard and Navy operating areas for boats with ill intentions to operate.

Last year we spent many evenings in the pool with a family from Miami that has been traveling to Bimini for decades. They own a condo at Bimini sands and are there a couple of times a month. They have a 35' Contender and often venture on to Andros, The Exhumas or even Turks and Cacos. They are CCP holders. They do not carry to Bimini but do take a Mini 14 when they venture to further. In all of their experience they have only ever used the firearm once. In that instance all they had to do was show it and a boat with possible bad intentions in Andros turned away.

 

[Bennie]

haha - was that supposed to STOP me from wanting to bring mine?? lmao

Well hell... now I'm going to need to bring my .223!! with the full 250 ammo!! (biting on fingernails)
Maybe I'll just bring the realistic-looking air soft gun to scare off the "bad intentions"

 

[Bruce]

supposed to STOP me from wanting to bring mine?? lmao

Stop you from wanting to bring it, probably not. If the rules had not changed I likely would have continued to bring a 45 on my boat.

Help you to realize that we are going to another country and need to play by their rules and it would be better not to waste hours of time in Paradise dropping off and picking up a firearm while your family sits on the boat waiting for you, possibly.

 

[Bennie]

Thank you @Bruce. I appreciate all your time, knowledge and relaying your past experiences. I guess it's just a deep seated habit of mine to carry.
Either way I plan on going next year... two arms or three.

Thank you again!!

 

[Big Shasta]

Just sent this to the Bahama embassy for clarification: --- I'll advise of their reply.

Hello -

I would like to travel with my .308 handgun (ammunition less than 50) that will remain in a small safe that is secured to vessel.
I have a 24ft jet boat with a small safe that is bolted/secured under a seat in my vessel.

Please advise if this will be permitted.

Did you mean 380 pistol or are you really carrying a 308 pistol like this one?