Are You Allowed to Have a Gun on a Boat?
Boaters are generally allowed to carry firearms on a boat in U.S. waters, provided they comply with federal, state, and local laws.
There are several reasons why a boater may want to carry a firearm, the most common being for self-defense against aggressive wildlife or ill-intended humans in remote areas.
As with every other element of boating safety, carrying a gun on a boat requires that you follow all regulations to the letter and take every precaution to keep those on board safe at all times.
Key Takeaways
- Laws regulating guns on boats in the United States vary from state to state.
- In general, guns are allowed on boats.
- Applicable laws are the same as those applying to guns in houses or vehicles.
- Safety is key when it comes to transporting firearms on your recreational vessel.
- Guns should be maintained and stored correctly and boaters should call the United States Coast Guard or other local authorities when in danger and avoid resorting to violence to protect themselves from wildlife or human threats, whenever possible.
Laws for carrying guns on boats
Laws for carrying guns on boats vary from state to state, and also depend upon whether your trip will take you into international waters. In short, it’s safe and legal to carry flare guns to be used as emergency distress signals. Other guns are subject to territorial rules.
Federal laws for boating with guns
Federal law permits possessing firearms on navigable waters within the United States, provided you comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968. If you plan on boating in international waters, these laws may no longer apply.
When boating on federal waters, you are generally subject to the laws of the state closest to your border.
State-specific gun laws
Gun laws vary from state to state. Carrying firearms on jet skis is often prohibited or restricted for safety reasons. If you are boating on a lake or river that crosses state lines (e.g., Lake Texoma), you must comply with the laws of both states.
Here are several examples of gun laws applying to recreational boating:
- Florida: Permitted with a valid concealed permit. Laws are similar to having a gun in a private vehicle. Remember, you also need a state-specific Florida Boater Safety Education ID Card to take to the water legally.
- Texas: Boaters can carry firearms. Related laws treat boats similarly to motor vehicles.
- California: Firearms on a boat in California should be unloaded and locked in a container. You also need to carry a state-specific California Boater Card to operate a motorized vessel.
- New York: Carrying a handgun requires a New York issued permit (out-of-state permits are not recognized). You also need a state-specific New York Safe Boating Certificate to boat legally in this state.
Depending on your location, you may face a complex layer of oversight; many state firearm laws for boaters are linked to hunting statutes managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Additionally, if you are operating on navigable waterways, you are also subject to federal regulations and U.S. Coast Guard authority.
Note that the following states permit individuals to carry a loaded concealed firearm without a permit:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota (concealed carry only)
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee (handguns only)
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Types of guns permitted on boats
You can generally possess legal handguns, rifles, and shotguns on boats for protection or recreation in the United States. Regulations may vary from state to state.
Use cases for carrying a gun on a boat
Boaters often travel to isolated coves, remote islands, or stretches of water where it could take a long time for law enforcement to respond to an emergency. A firearm is often viewed as a tool for self-reliance to protect yourself against theft and robbery. However, whenever possible, it is preferable to react without causing harm.
In some parts of the U.S., wildlife like snakes, aggressive alligators, or sharks encountered while fishing can pose a genuine threat to boaters. Boaters in Alaska or the Pacific Northwest may carry firearms to protect against bears when going ashore or if an animal attempts to board a low-profile craft.
Contacting the USCG
Boaters anywhere in the U.S. can use their VHF Radio to call the U.S. Coast Guard for help in any type of emergency. Use the standard ‘Mayday’ distress call and spell out the details of your location using the phonetic NATO alphabet for maximum clarity.
How should firearms be transported on a boat?
The Coast Guard doesn’t have any special regulations for transporting firearms on a boat. The same laws (both federal and state) for keeping a gun in your house or car apply to boats.
In general, we recommend the following:
- Always store your firearm in a secure, cool, dry location, impossible to access by children.
- Store your weapon unloaded, and store ammunition in a separate, locked container.
- Use trigger locks to prevent accidental discharge.
- Undergo complete safety training for properly handling and transporting firearms.
- Educate all passengers about firearm safety. Even if they never intend to handle a gun, proper training prevents accidents.
- Keep the necessary permits for your firearms with you at all times, and be prepared to show them.
- Always tell law enforcement or Coast Guard officers about any firearms you have on board, even if you are concerned about complying with regulations, for everyone’s safety.
How to safely maintain a firearm on a boat
Gun maintenance, just like boat maintenance, is important to safety. Properly-maintained equipment, whether a firearm or a piece of boating safety equipment, is more likely to function properly and safely.
Moisture is the biggest threat to your onboard firearm. It’s important to keep your gun away from splashes, moisture and oils. Regularly disassemble and dry the firearm, clean it, apply rust-preventive lubricant and allow it to fully dry before reassembling it.
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