firearms laws and international waterways

True North

True North

Member
Sep 11, 2012
165
Live: DeWitt, MI,West Michigan (Ludington)
Boat Info
2005 SR 260DA
350 MAG MPI
Bravo 3
Engines
(1) 350 MAG MPI w/Bravo III
1) are the great lakes considered international waterways bc international vessels sail on them and have other countries i.e. Canada border them?
2) does international marine law prohibit firearms on board if owner/operator has a license to carry or CCW permit?

not that I ever think I would need it, but out on the hook, are out by yourselves, the extra "security" of protecting your property and most importantly family seems valid, but I don't recall what the "law" states about firearms on board???
 
Check with the issuing locality, and the CG. That would be the best way to be sure you stay legal.
 
It's my understanding that if you are in CA waters you must abide by their firearms regulations. You don't EVER want to get caught in CA waters with a handgun. They are a prohibited weapon in CA and the penalties are quite stiff.

If you want to carry a weapon on board and be legal in CA, buy a shotgun but store it unloaded and store the shells in their own box. They can be nearby but not IN the shotgun.
 
If I wanted to contact the coast guard to inquire, what is the best way to go about contacting the CG, short of googling them, meaning do I contact a "local" CG or is their a way to send an inquiry email and actually get a response? I've never had to contact them other than through off shore radio.....
 
When they came to inspect my boat I asked, I also asked Games and Fish. Basically I went to every law enforcement group that could stop my boat and inspect her. Then I asked VA State PD, and the Shierff that issued my permit. I carry everywhere I go, as long as it's legal to do so. I do not carry in MD. Your problem starts as you cross into Canada. You've crossed a border with a firearm. What have you found online?
 
for the record, I don't think I would ever be in a situation where I was in Canadian waters. My question more or less is do state laws rule the Great Lakes or international marine laws regarding firearms due to the fact that the Great Lakes could be considered international waterways???

And with bordering states having different firearms laws, and my CCW may not be valid in other states, where does one draw the line on if they can carry on board on the great lakes? And how would I find out the answer with confidence it would be the correct answer? I would think the CG would be my best bet, but I don't know how to contact a regional branch directly that covers the great lakes, specifically Michigan waterways. Yes, next time I am in Ludington, I will see what I can find out from the CG station there, but thought I would tap any people in the know on the forum here. thanks.
 
I'm gonna spell this wrong, check your states reciprocity. You can go online for that. Go to MCRGO, there is a list. Your permit does allow you to carry on your boat.
 
Last edited:
You must comply with each states LTC laws.....Most people get a license in Florida because they reciprocate with like 1/2 the states or more.....Massachusetts reciprocates with none.....Surprise, surprise...... The Lakes are not international waters......You must have two (2) safes; one to store gun and one to store amo to comply with all states safe storage laws. NOT ADVISE! If you store your unloaded gun in one safe and your amo in another safe while onboard/underway, you should be fine....You must declare your gun/s to all foreign ports of entry and Coast Guard......Again, not legal advice....
 
I don't think we have "international waters" in the Great Lakes. We have a Canadian side and an American side and there is a firmly defined border. Come on over and visit - you'll love it. But leave your gun behind. It would be way too big of a PITA if you run into the law and I've never, ever been in a situation on the water where I felt physically threatened.

Plus, "True North" is part of our National Anthem....

Cheers,
Paul
 
What are "International Waters"?

Answer: Noun 1. international waters - the open seas of the world outside the territorial waters of any nation.

The Great Lakes are not "International Waters", they are territorial waters.

There is a legal boundry in the middle of the Great Lakes that designates each states and countries jurisdictions. It is shown on my chartplotter on the boat and iPad. In Indiana after sundown all waters are idle zones including Lake Michigan, if I go north of the line Illinois and Michigan do not have that restriction. Once you cross the line in the plotter you are in Canadian territorial waters and their laws apply, even in the water.

MM
 
I do not think there is any issue with having a handgun on a boat in CA. Boats like my Sundancer 320 qualify as a home, second home etc, and provided you had the gun stored according to the rules in place for storing a handgun in your home, there seems to me nothing that any authority could do about this. Handguns are certainly not prohibited weapons in California, you are free to own one, carry permits however are very hard to come by.
 
Last edited:
True North said:
for the record, I don't think I would ever be in a situation where I was in Canadian waters. My question more or less is do state laws rule the Great Lakes or international marine laws regarding firearms due to the fact that the Great Lakes could be considered international waterways???

And with bordering states having different firearms laws, and my CCW may not be valid in other states, where does one draw the line on if they can carry on board on the great lakes? And how would I find out the answer with confidence it would be the correct answer? I would think the CG would be my best bet, but I don't know how to contact a regional branch directly that covers the great lakes, specifically Michigan waterways. Yes, next time I am in Ludington, I will see what I can find out from the CG station there, but thought I would tap any people in the know on the forum here. thanks.
Click to expand...
At all times, when carried in or on a motor-propelled boat or sailboat:
-Rifles, shotguns, muzzleloading and other firearms must be unloaded in both barrel and magazine.
-firearms may not be loaded.

Exception: See the 2012-2013 Waterfowl Hunting Digest, under the Joint State-Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations section.

Exception: These rules do not apply to a pistol carried under authority of a concealed pistol license or properly carried under authority of a specific exception from the requirement of a concealed pistol license. See Statewide Handgun Regulations.

A percussion cap muzzleloading longarm is considered unloaded if the percussion cap is removed. A flintlock muzzleloading longarm is considered unloaded if the cock is left down and the pan is open. Black powder handguns must be transported as stated above. A muzzleloading firearm that has an electric ignition system is considered unloaded if the battery is removed.
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10366_37141_37706-31579--,00.html


Your boating in Region 9, somewhere at this link you should find a number to call.
http://www.uscg.mil/d9/
 
Last edited:
Dsybok said:
I do not think there is any issue with having a handgun on a boat in CA. Boats like my Sundancer 320 qualify as a home, second home etc, and provided you had the gun stored according to the rules in place for storing a handgun in your home, there seems to me nothing that any authority could do about this. Handguns are certainly not prohibited weapons in California, you are free to own one, carry permits however are very hard to come by.
Click to expand...
Dsybok, I'm gonna poke a little fun at you and please don't take offense at this. The OP was asking about boating in Canadian waters. Now I realize you guys down there in CAlifornia think you're pretty much the center of the universe and naturally would think that use of the abbreviation CA would apply to California. But let me remind you there's this little, itty bitty country up north of the US named Canada and in many areas of the world the abbreviation CA is used to refer to Canada.

Up here in the PNW when someone uses the abbreviation CA we naturally think of our northern neighbors and their wonderful boating waters, not that place to the south of us.

Just kidding ya a bit!
 
Gofirstclass said:
Dsybok, I'm gonna poke a little fun at you and please don't take offense at this. The OP was asking about boating in Canadian waters. Now I realize you guys down there in CAlifornia think you're pretty much the center of the universe and naturally would think that use of the abbreviation CA would apply to California. But let me remind you there's this little, itty bitty country up north of the US named Canada and in many areas of the world the abbreviation CA is used to refer to Canada.

Up here in the PNW when someone uses the abbreviation CA we naturally think of our northern neighbors and their wonderful boating waters, not that place to the south of us.

Just kidding ya a bit!
Click to expand...

Oh, well of course, sorry, in the rest of the civilized world CA is state abbreviation for California and CAN for Canada, geez man, get with the program! Actually thats pretty funny!

I read the whole thread at once and people were talking about Florida, South Carolina etc, it sounded like a general discussion on gun rules. You can make fun of CA as much as you want, I just live here, I don't claim to be responsible for it. You can blame me for Massachusetts if you want though.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,256
Messages
1,429,462
Members
61,135
Latest member
Gregger
Back
Top