Weapons

[HeadingUnknown]

I am considering cruising the eastern Caribbean. Does anyone have advice or information on the carrying of a weapon on board?

Thanks,

Frank

[alctel]

This is a hot button issue, with discussions getting very heated. You will get a wide range of advice, ranging from 'Bringing guns on a voyage is dumb' to 'Setting sail without guns poses an unacceptable risk for you and your family'

I fall into the former camp but there are for sure a lot of people here who do carry and can give you advice - it varies dramatically from country to country

[ranger58sb]

Frank, try a site search using "guns" -- and maybe Caribbean, Bahamas, whatever -- as your keywords. Lots of threads to review...

-Chris

[Amapola]

Each country has it's own rules. In countries where weapons on board are illegal, the govt will hold your weapons until you depart. There is no problem in the Bahamas as long as you declare the weapon and EXACT number of ammo rounds

[skipmac]

Hi Frank,

I understand your desire for information but on this topic especially, PLEASE use the forum search function and you will find dozens of previous discussions with hundreds of replies and comments on this issue. The issue is very controversial and excites a lot of argument. No need to start another.

[Pelagic]

Is there a search function for "Closed" Threads?

Unfortunately, that is where most of the weapons threads end up[emoji111]

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by HeadingUnknown

I am considering cruising the eastern Caribbean. Does anyone have advice or information on the carrying of a weapon on board?

Thanks,

Frank

here are links to previous discussions that featured "guns"

Follow this link to many links for those discussions. You will find hours of reading, comments, advice, and arguments.

https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=011403...uns&gsc.page=1

[Jdege]

Is there any site on the web like Noonsite.com — that provides current information for dealing with firearms in specific ports?

What I'm thinking of is:

• Summaries of the law, in a particular jurisdiction
• Links to official webpages explaining the law, for a particular jurisdiction
• Personal accounts of dealing the the bureaucracy, in a particular jurisdiction

And not an endless series of rants about how fundamentally stupid it is to cruise with/without a firearm.

[rwidman]

Personally, if I was planning a cruise to an area where I thought I would need weapons for personal protection, I would change my plans and go somewhere else.

Even if you did manage to shoot someone you thought was a danger to you or your family, you would be in for a lot of red tape, lawyers, courts, etc. You might get off or you might spend some quality time in a foreign prison.

Watch this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0IINqVvWF4

[Island Time O25]

Agree with rwidman re: best not to go to such places to begin with. I.e. if the place is dangerous enough to warrant carrying a weapon it not attractive enough for me to visit.

The reason not to carry weapons in places like the Caribbean is the fact that on most islands the local society is very clannish and close knit. So that night invader/burglar with a machete who you just shot with your officially declared weapon may turn out to be more likely than not a relative of (insert as may be applicable) - local LE, local politico figures, local mafia don, local biggest businessman, member a large and anti-gringo pre-disposed family, etc. etc. Think of going to the Appalachian boonies trying to outshoot the locals. Get the picture?

Plus if you shoot someone dead and are tried in the local kangaroo (or even decent) courts you will likely to end up spending much more than even your boat is worth for both the defense and to get the perp's family off your back. Of course some luck out and end up spending "only" a few tens of 000s for that. But I'd rather lose some cash and replaceable electronics than deal with criminal courts and angry locals in some 3rd world hell hole.

[boatman61]

I carry weapons..
Butchers knife
Screwdrivers
Hammers
Fairy Liquid (concentrated)
Petrol
Beer bottles

[Island Time O25]

Originally Posted by boatman61

I carry weapons..
Butchers knife
Screwdrivers
Hammers
Fairy Liquid (concentrated)
Petrol
Beer bottles

Here in US practically all of us carry the good ol' trusted flare guns.

I've seen a store bought BBQ knife, basically a butcher's knife with an extra long thick wooden handle, which was modified to be screwed onto a broom handle. Seemed very effective to keep someone from boarding or to get them off the deck and back into the water.

[rwidman]

I stand by American citizen's Constitutional right to own guns even though I don't own one myself.

That said, on a boat or at home, weapons require you to be awake, alert and sober to be of any use. And you better have quick access to them at all times.

If you are off your boat in the dinghy and come back to find someone on your boat, that gun (or knife) won't do you any good if it's on the boat and you are in your dinghy.

If you had a few adult beverages and are sleeping and someone comes on your boat, they can probably have their way with you before you are able to find your weapon and try to use it.

And of course, there's always the risk of shooting someone who wasn't intent on doing you harm. Or getting angry enough with someone that you shoot them when you shouldn't have.

For weapons to be effective, you need to stand guard with them 24/7. That's pretty hard to do.

[Tortuga's Lie]

As a side note and what Islandtime and Boatman are mentioning is alternates to firearms and this would be a more valuable knowledge base than a discussion on the legality of firearms.
Pepper spray, mace, crossbow?(might be illegal), machete, high-power sling shot, intense light beam, intense sonic deterrent, taser?

Self Defense Tools & Non Lethal Weapons To Consider For Emergency Preparedness

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Island Time O25

Here in US practically all of us carry the good ol' trusted flare guns. .

Only got 1 cartridge left for mine.. can't get them over here..
But yes.. a little imagination/improvisation goes a long way