The coast guard can and will board to check for safety equipment. They don't care about guns on board as long as they aren't being smuggled or threatening to them.CDH wrote:This comes up all the time in discussions down here and I have yet to hear a definative answer. Here's my personal take...there is no special legal knowledge here:
I can hunt on all of the coastal waters (duck blind's anyone) so I can have a firearm on my boat. Hunting firearms and handguns are treated differently, though...
It is all state waters until you are over 9 nautical miles out. State laws apply. I have a state CHL license.
Over 9 nautical miles out, federal laws apply to me and my boat on everythign else.
So, according to state law, in the absence of a law precluding me from carrying, my CHL should be valid in state waters.
I don't have a federal license to carry.
So, in reality I expect that it is technically legal to carry in state waters but not in federal waters.
But, in reality I have never NEVER heard of a boater being boarded by the coast guard and even asked about firearms unless they are already boarding you for drugs or other major violation.
Keep your nose clean and you'll be fine...
Just MHO.
You can carry all the way out into international waters. When in state controlled waters, state laws apply.
There seems to be some confusion over COE lakes and federal waters. Lakes that fall under the Army Corp of Engineers is not the same as ocean waters. under federal jurisdiction.
I have even sailed with small cannon. I never wore a gun while out because salt really raises havoc with them and prefered to keep one in a zip lock and stowed somewhere convenient.