Personal Protection

N

night moves

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A group of us were discussing the great loop. I have a few friends that made the trip. The discussion lead to a few concerning times when just flashing what looked like a weapon, ended the confrontation. Another friend and his wife, plan to start out next year on thier first trip. They plan run to the Bahamas also, he flatly refuses to have any weapon onboard.

Have you heard of cases where boaters were confronted or is it generally a nonissue?
 
There are 2 schools of thought on carrying a weapon. Brandishing a gun can and will in most situations get you in legal trouble. In my opinion a weapon should never be (pulled) brandished unless the threat is real and you better be prepared to pull the trigger.
Bill
 
Bill has it right ...brandishing a firearm is illegal!!! If you are truely in fear of your life and you decide to draw a weapon, you whould be ready to kill what you are pointing you weapon at. Remember that using a weapon will be a life changing experience for both you and the perpetrator!!
 
Ideally you won't need it, but as B3 indicates, there are some concerns when you might...I would add, be competent with the weapon in your hand. You want to make sure that you can hit your target in non-ideal conditions or with loved ones in the mix. Be careful.
 
My sister's friend bought their dad an oozie for Christmas. He was on the IC when 3 fishing boats surrounded him and his wife. He brought out the oozie and the 3 boats left right away. I'd rather be prepared than be a victim. I would also hate to be in a situation like that as Pete said.
 
I keep 2 weapons (Walther PPK and Mini-14) on the boat all the time. They're just there and i never take them off.

But, that said, I've never had any occasion at all to even think about them much less consider taking one of them out for a defensive purpose.

Initially, I put them on for when I am in the Bahamas in remote locations. You know, Pirates of The Caribbean and all that. But, never even had a hint of needing one of them.

Bob

PS: As an aside, I also possess a Florida CCW permit, am familiar with all of the laws of the Sate of Florida pertaining there to and also familiar with the laws of each of the 34 states that have reciprocity agreements with the state of Florida.
 
You should become educated in the laws governing the areas you intend to travel. You should know what constitutes legal use of a firearm for each area and decide for youself if it's worth the risk of carrying and potentially using a firearm vs. the risk of needing to use one.

- some areas allow you to carry a non-concealed weapon on your person
- most areas don't allow (some do) the use of a firearm to protect property
- some only allow a firearm to be used for self defense and each defines that scenario differently

Also, keep in mind that there are firearm restrictions and handgun restrictions. Big difference. It's worth considering how each jurisdiction regulates rifles and handguns.

I'm not an NRA advocate, but here is a link that shows each states purchase and carry laws. Unfortunately, it doesn't show legal use for defense in each state.

http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/
 
Not the smartest idea to list the weapons you keep on board on a public forum!!!
 
Ditto... if nothing else you're inviting a break-in.
 
A recent episode of ShipShape TV was devoted to carrying a weapon on your boat. I think most of the products featured on the show are because the vendor supplies them free to the host. The gun manufacturer demonstrated how to use the weapon to disable or sink another boat.

I would hope that for most of us, it's a non-issue. I wouldn't knowingly take my boat to a location where I was likely to be attacked by pirates any more than I would knowingly drive my car to a "bad" part of town at night.

The comments about not drawing a gun unless you're ready and willing to take a life are right on. Pull your gun and the other guy or guys (or women) may pull theirs. Now, it's you or them.

Pulling "something that looks like a weapon" would be really foolish.

My choice so far has been not to arm myself, mostly because of the danger of shooting the wrong person. As society gets more violent and the authorities continue to lose control of the criminal element or release them from prision because of overcrowding, I continue to re-evaluate that choice.

It's not a good idea to just buy a gun and keep it with you, in your home, on your boat, etc., you have to devote time and energy to learning how to use it and maintain it. And then, it could be years before feel the need to use it.
 
with the number of laws and ordinances on the book in this country, i'm not sure it is worth the hassles unless you are willing to research every single state, county and town you will be passing thru on the loop. Even basic rights such as self defense in your home (boat) which we take for granted in florida are being ignored in other jurisdiction (see teh recent story about an elderly colorado man who shot at 2 illegals trying to steal a trailer on his property).

I have never heard any story about any "confrontation" in US waters... ashore is a different story and there are a few places where you probably dont' want to walk at night. I've stopped at such places before, like Portsmouhth Va, Stamford CT, and more but use common sense and you'll be fine.

and the OP didn't talk about BRANDISHING A GUN... he mentioned FLASHING WHAT LOOKED LIKE A WEAPON. it you have a permit letting a shady character see that you have a gun in a holster is not illegal and it could be a taser or anything else. As to whether or not it is wise to "escalate" things is a different discussion.

bottom line, relax, enjoy the cruising, US waters (and bahamamian) waters are safe.
 
I suggest looking at the USCCW site it has maps with all the States laws and reciprocity. You need to constantly look at the site because the laws change almost weekly.
Bill
 
The best Legal weapon to carry on board is the ITK...The Great loop involves some Canadian waters and as far as I know the ITK is still allowed in Canada...It's far from being an attractive weapon, as a mater of fact it'd kinda ugly, and fires very quick, but results are positive when you are threatened...
 
Pascal, I'm not aware of any state where it is permissable to use lethal force just to keep someone from stealing your property. People who know nothing about guns and gun laws (like when lethal force is permitted and when it is not) always have opinions on whether I should carry a weapon in my boat or car.
 
In that we are becoming an ever more litigious society anyone who keeps a firearm in his home or vehicle had better be very familiar with the laws pertaining.

While most states have "Castle Doctrine" statutes the scope of each varies greatly. Almost all of the include dwellings, work places and vehicles but expanded applications vary a lot from state to state.

Bob
 
Gregory S, I'm glad I live in Texas:

quote:
Deadly Force to Protect Property

"A person is justified in using deadly force against another to protect his property to the degree he reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to prevent the other's imminent commission of arson, burglary, robbery, theft during the nighttime or criminal mischief during the nighttime, and he reasonably believes that the property cannot be protected by any other means."

"A person is justified in using deadly force against another to pervent the other who is fleeing after committing burglary, robbery, or theft during the nighttime, from escaping with the property and he reasonable believes that the property cannot be recovered by any other means; or, the use of force other than deadly force to protect or recover the property would expose him or another to a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury. (Nighttime is defined as the period 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.)"

Protection of the Property of Others

"A person is justified in using force or deadly force against another to protect the property of a third person if he reasonably believes he would be justified to use similar force to protect his own property, and he reasonably believes that there existed an attempt or actual commission of the crime of theft or criminal mischief."

"Also, a person is justified in using force or deadly force if he reasonably believes that the third person has requested his protection of property; or he has a legal duty to protect the property; or the third person whose property he is protecting is his spouse, parent or child."

Click to expand...


http://www.self-defender.net/law3.htm

"Life is tough, it's tougher when your stupid"
John Wayne
.
 
"A person is justified in using deadly force against another to protect his property to the degree he reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to prevent the other's imminent commission of arson, burglary, robbery, theft during the nighttime or criminal mischief during the nighttime, ........"

So in texas, a homeowner can legally kill someone for destroying his mailbox?

That seems a little harsh.
 
quote:
Originally posted by carver 2557

The best Legal weapon to carry on board is the ITK...The Great loop involves some Canadian waters and as far as I know the ITK is still allowed in Canada...It's far from being an attractive weapon, as a mater of fact it'd kinda ugly, and fires very quick, but results are positive when you are threatened...

Click to expand...


What is an ITK?

G
 
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