Do the same laws for CHL apply on recreational boats

[R_Comstock]

It is a matter of safety for the Coasties and you.

No it's not. I don't doubt that's what the Coasties have been taught and believe, but it's not true.

Retrieving a gun from where it's safely stored, handling it, unloading it, and then the owner reloading it at the end, actually increases the chances of an unintentional discharge. No one is made safer by bringing a gun out of safe storage.

I beg to differ. This is a judgement call by the boarding officer. More often than not, I will tell you not to go anywhere near it after you tell me where it is because you are correct. However, if I'm on your boat and there's something fishy it's safer for me (a trained LEO with PLENTY of firearms experience) to take control of your weapon rather than allow you the opportunity to utilize it if you're a bad guy.

BTW, if YOU handling YOUR own gun makes YOU or anyone else less safe...you need to remedy the situation by either selling your gun or taking some safety classes.