Firearms on a boat

[Bang]

Law enforcement as applied by district attorneys is affected by political climate. This can result in a prosecution predicted likely to be a loser but still gaining points for being tough on crime. In such a climate as exists today, being found with a gun under unsettled/questionable circumstances may be less than prudent.

[Tim Ault]

No.
The rules are similar to vehicular carry. Handgun is OK if you have an LTCF. Shotgun/Rifle may not be loaded if the vessel is under power or moving.

TITLE 34 § 2503. Loaded firearms in vehicles.

(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to have a firearm of any kind in or on or against any conveyance propelled by mechanical power or its attachments at any time whether or not the vehicle or its attachment is in motion unless the firearm is unloaded. The exceptions in this subsection do not apply when attempting to locate game or wildlife with an artificial light or when exercising any privileges granted by this title which may be exercised only when not in the possession of a firearm.

(b) Exceptions.--This section shall not be construed to apply to:

(1) A police officer engaged in the performance of his official duty.

(2) A commission officer engaged in the performance of his duty.

(3) A person carrying a loaded pistol or revolver when in possession of a valid firearms license issued by the chief or head of any police force or the sheriff of a county when the license is issued for protection under 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 Subch. A (relating to Uniform Firearms Act).

(4) Any person as defined in section 2121(c) (relating to killing game or wildlife to protect property) while on lands they control and when not hunting or trapping for game or wildlife.

(5) Any motorboat or other craft having a motor attached or any sailboat if the motor has been completely shut off or the sail furled and its progress therefrom has ceased.

(6) Any political subdivision, its employees or agents, which has a valid deer control permit issued under section 2902(c) (relating to general categories of permits).

The exceptions in paragraphs (1) through (5) do not apply when attempting to locate game or wildlife with an artificial light or when exercising any privileges granted by this title which may be exercised only when not in the possession of a firearm.

(c) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree if the vehicle is in motion. Otherwise the violation is a summary offense of the fifth degree.

(Mar. 29, 1996, P.L.41, No.13, eff. imd.; Dec. 19, 1996, P.L.1442, No.184, eff. 60 days)

Thank you

[Frizratz]

No.
The rules are similar to vehicular carry. Handgun is OK if you have an LTCF. Shotgun/Rifle may not be loaded if the vessel is under power or moving.

TITLE 34 § 2503. Loaded firearms in vehicles.

(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to have a firearm of any kind in or on or against any conveyance propelled by mechanical power or its attachments at any time whether or not the vehicle or its attachment is in motion unless the firearm is unloaded. The exceptions in this subsection do not apply when attempting to locate game or wildlife with an artificial light or when exercising any privileges granted by this title which may be exercised only when not in the possession of a firearm.

(b) Exceptions.--This section shall not be construed to apply to:

(1) A police officer engaged in the performance of his official duty.

(2) A commission officer engaged in the performance of his duty.

(3) A person carrying a loaded pistol or revolver when in possession of a valid firearms license issued by the chief or head of any police force or the sheriff of a county when the license is issued for protection under 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 Subch. A (relating to Uniform Firearms Act).

(4) Any person as defined in section 2121(c) (relating to killing game or wildlife to protect property) while on lands they control and when not hunting or trapping for game or wildlife.

(5) Any motorboat or other craft having a motor attached or any sailboat if the motor has been completely shut off or the sail furled and its progress therefrom has ceased.

(6) Any political subdivision, its employees or agents, which has a valid deer control permit issued under section 2902(c) (relating to general categories of permits).

The exceptions in paragraphs (1) through (5) do not apply when attempting to locate game or wildlife with an artificial light or when exercising any privileges granted by this title which may be exercised only when not in the possession of a firearm.

(c) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree if the vehicle is in motion. Otherwise the violation is a summary offense of the fifth degree.

(Mar. 29, 1996, P.L.41, No.13, eff. imd.; Dec. 19, 1996, P.L.1442, No.184, eff. 60 days)

The above is quoted for PA only though. De, NJ, MD might be different even varying from, say Annapolis MD to St. Micheals MD.

I was stopped by the Coast Guard last year for a safety check.
After boarding my boat, first question was.
" Without moving or pointing, are there any firearms on board your boat? "
Answer :"no sir"
then they commenced with the safety check.

Add the story of Antwerpen ( SP ? ) the Maryland car dealer, on his yacht entering NY harbor.
Again Coast Guard asked the question.
His answer was yes, they are in a safe.
Coast Guard calls NY NRP or harbor cops and Antwerpen is arrested and taken off the yacht.

Some time later he was released.

[Frizratz]

No.
The rules are similar to vehicular carry. Handgun is OK if you have an LTCF. Shotgun/Rifle may not be loaded if the vessel is under power or moving.

TITLE 34 § 2503. Loaded firearms in vehicles.

(a) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to have a firearm of any kind in or on or against any conveyance propelled by mechanical power or its attachments at any time whether or not the vehicle or its attachment is in motion unless the firearm is unloaded. The exceptions in this subsection do not apply when attempting to locate game or wildlife with an artificial light or when exercising any privileges granted by this title which may be exercised only when not in the possession of a firearm.

(b) Exceptions.--This section shall not be construed to apply to:

(1) A police officer engaged in the performance of his official duty.

(2) A commission officer engaged in the performance of his duty.

(3) A person carrying a loaded pistol or revolver when in possession of a valid firearms license issued by the chief or head of any police force or the sheriff of a county when the license is issued for protection under 18 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 Subch. A (relating to Uniform Firearms Act).

(4) Any person as defined in section 2121(c) (relating to killing game or wildlife to protect property) while on lands they control and when not hunting or trapping for game or wildlife.

(5) Any motorboat or other craft having a motor attached or any sailboat if the motor has been completely shut off or the sail furled and its progress therefrom has ceased.

(6) Any political subdivision, its employees or agents, which has a valid deer control permit issued under section 2902(c) (relating to general categories of permits).

The exceptions in paragraphs (1) through (5) do not apply when attempting to locate game or wildlife with an artificial light or when exercising any privileges granted by this title which may be exercised only when not in the possession of a firearm.

(c) Penalty.--A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree if the vehicle is in motion. Otherwise the violation is a summary offense of the fifth degree.

(Mar. 29, 1996, P.L.41, No.13, eff. imd.; Dec. 19, 1996, P.L.1442, No.184, eff. 60 days)

The above is quoted for PA only though. De, NJ, MD might be different even varying from, say Annapolis MD to St. Micheals MD.

I was stopped by the Coast Guard last year for a safety check.
After boarding my boat, first question was.
" Without moving or pointing, are there any firearms on board your boat? "
Answer :"no sir"
then they commenced with the safety check.

Add the story of Antwerpen ( SP ? ) the Maryland car dealer, on his yacht entering NY harbor.
Again Coast Guard asked the question.
His answer was yes, they are in a safe.
Coast Guard calls NY NRP or harbor cops and Antwerpen is arrested and taken off the yacht.
Not by the C.G but by the NRP cops.

Some time later he was released.
I think the same day.

[Remington788]

The above is quoted for PA only though. De, NJ, MD might be different even varying from, say Annapolis MD to St. Micheals MD.

This is PAFOA so I quoted PA law.
I have very little expectation that NJ, DE, MD, NY or Canada have less strict laws regarding firearms in boats. WV might, but I don't know.

[spandexlurch]

I know of a guy who went to the Delaware River armed.Washington_Crossing_the_Delaware.jpg

[Parrisk]

Yeah I remember hearing something about a law suit, but like I said...I could be wrong. Given the amount of land and water they control I find it absurd that people were prohibited.

Part of the problem is the is no such animal as "Corps of Engineers" it is the US Army Corps of Engineers.. (USACE)
President of the United States -> Department of Defense -> US Army -> Corps of Engineers (there are multiple Corps within the US Army) -> Regional Division -> Districts -> Projects (or sites/ recreation areas)
District Commanders are usually US Army Colonel (pay grade O-6 ) It would be easy for a district commander to sign saying "recreation areas" would follow local CCW rules.. but being retired Army having worked with USACE it would also be professional suicide. Legally once you step foot on their property you have left your state and stepped on US Army property. Just like walking onto an Indian reservation, local laws no longer apply.

The USACE runs some critical infrastructure and is very worried about how to allow legal firearms, but yet keep firearms away from these infrastructures..

IMHO believe they should just open up all recreation property to CCW just like the National Parks did. all touchy infrastructure is already behind fences and security Legal issue is how does one part of the US Army aka DoD do this without affecting other DoD properties and installations??? it is a huge Red Tape can of worms

Ives Run USACE in Tioga PA has a camp store that is run by contractors. Some time ago one contractor finally looked up the statutes and started selling beer by 6 packs. Some guy who worked for LCB was camping there and walked in, saw the beer and asked where the liquor license was. Contacted the local LCB enforcement who walked and got the statutes dropped in their lap.. they technically and legally were no longer in PA and had no enforcement authority ROFL.. There was a drawn out legal debate way above my pay grade that had other PA authorities coming in and trying to flew muscle against USACE. In the end USACE and PA shook hands, stopped the battles and the contractor was told by USACE to stop selling beer that he was LEGALLY allowed to offer..