I agree with Tom that a simple 12 gauge flaregun is enough especially since I'll only be on the Great Lakes in the foreseeable future but I'm curious how others feel.
Should one carry a gun when sailing?
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Mark Prouty
- Admiral
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Should one carry a gun when sailing?
I emphatically say no! Nobody really does with a trailering sailboat do they?
I agree with Tom that a simple 12 gauge flaregun is enough especially since I'll only be on the Great Lakes in the foreseeable future but I'm curious how others feel.
I agree with Tom that a simple 12 gauge flaregun is enough especially since I'll only be on the Great Lakes in the foreseeable future but I'm curious how others feel.
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Tom Root
- Captain
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Annville, PA. s/v-Great White, MacX4787A202,'09 Suzuki DF-50
Hee, Hee, You'd be surprised how many do! I am not at all paranoid about Pirates anywhere in the states. But, there are places I've been that I wished I had a firearm. I have been chased numerous times in the Phillipines when diving off of Banca boats (dugout outrigger power home builds) and fortunately never was face to face with these scoundrels! We outran 'em!!!!! 
The ONLY reason I carry a shotgun is that a slug can do number on apex predators....Sharks, as 3 Great Whites have found happy hunting grounds very close to were I dive and boat. I love sharks, and would NEVER try to harm 'em, but if let's say they get too cozy with me, I carry .38 Caliber bangsticks while underwater, and the stainless pump if needed topside.
I do not fear them, but have the utmost respect for these fine creatures, all my boats have been named after creatures of the deep, as a tribute for the respect I have of them, hence my Mac X boat is "Great White"! Partly because it is so doggone white, and secondly the "Great White Shark" is the opitome' of the Apex Predator. I just take precautions to not be at the buisness end of 'em, if I can help it!
Tom Root
2002 26
Great White
San Diego
The ONLY reason I carry a shotgun is that a slug can do number on apex predators....Sharks, as 3 Great Whites have found happy hunting grounds very close to were I dive and boat. I love sharks, and would NEVER try to harm 'em, but if let's say they get too cozy with me, I carry .38 Caliber bangsticks while underwater, and the stainless pump if needed topside.
I do not fear them, but have the utmost respect for these fine creatures, all my boats have been named after creatures of the deep, as a tribute for the respect I have of them, hence my Mac X boat is "Great White"! Partly because it is so doggone white, and secondly the "Great White Shark" is the opitome' of the Apex Predator. I just take precautions to not be at the buisness end of 'em, if I can help it!
Tom Root
2002 26
Great White
San Diego
Last edited by Tom Root on Mon Mar 08, 2004 11:26 am, edited 2 times in total.
Right now this one is a know brainier. I have to small kids aboard under the age of 6 and think the risk of an accidental shooting is greater then protecting my kids with a gun.
That being said even later I don't know if I could actually shoot an intruder that came aboard my boat, and if I could I don't know if I could shoot him before he shoot me. Of course there is the worst case senerio, I shoot and kill him and he was not armed at all.
Dave
That being said even later I don't know if I could actually shoot an intruder that came aboard my boat, and if I could I don't know if I could shoot him before he shoot me. Of course there is the worst case senerio, I shoot and kill him and he was not armed at all.
Dave
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Tom Root
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Dave,
Well again you bring up a good point, the flaregun can be just as deady to a toddler as any dedicated firearm, so one must keep that in mind when having any pyrotechnic's aboard. I only have adults aboard my boats, so don't concern myself too much with that issue, but consideration, as to safety aspects must be pondered.
Uh, sorry.... but even a remote possiblility of me being harmed allows me to defend myself with any and all means neccasary! My credo is to be judged in a jury by 12, then to be carried by 6 in a box, and there are low lifes in this world we live in, unfortunately!
But all this is at the very bottom of our list! We enjoy our sport, it's good clean fun!!!!
Tom Root
2002 26
Great White
San Diego
Well again you bring up a good point, the flaregun can be just as deady to a toddler as any dedicated firearm, so one must keep that in mind when having any pyrotechnic's aboard. I only have adults aboard my boats, so don't concern myself too much with that issue, but consideration, as to safety aspects must be pondered.
Uh, sorry.... but even a remote possiblility of me being harmed allows me to defend myself with any and all means neccasary! My credo is to be judged in a jury by 12, then to be carried by 6 in a box, and there are low lifes in this world we live in, unfortunately!
But all this is at the very bottom of our list! We enjoy our sport, it's good clean fun!!!!
Tom Root
2002 26
Great White
San Diego
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Don T
- Admiral
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Hello:
Yes & no, depends on where I'm going. The reality is we have a half dozen piratings on the Columbia river each year. 6 years ago "they" killed the whole dang family and scuttled the boat when they were finished. As I recall they were running drugs upriver. I guess I'm not willing to leave that last ten minutes of my family's or my life to chance. On the other hand I had my boat tossed by customs agents in Sydney Canada looking for contraband. Very interesting sequence of events, they need no probable cause. They have the right to search and seize at any time. They don't allow guns so I had left mine home.
Yes & no, depends on where I'm going. The reality is we have a half dozen piratings on the Columbia river each year. 6 years ago "they" killed the whole dang family and scuttled the boat when they were finished. As I recall they were running drugs upriver. I guess I'm not willing to leave that last ten minutes of my family's or my life to chance. On the other hand I had my boat tossed by customs agents in Sydney Canada looking for contraband. Very interesting sequence of events, they need no probable cause. They have the right to search and seize at any time. They don't allow guns so I had left mine home.
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Max
- Engineer
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- Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2004 12:34 pm
- Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, Gt Britain
Hi everyone from Britain!!
Very interested in these replies!! Nobody I know carries them in Britain, 'cos our gun laws are so strict. The nearest we carry to a firearm are a few distress flares - oh yeah and maybe a cricket bat!! Amazed to hear about pirates too. I think we live a bit of a sheltered life over here!!
Regards
Max
Very interested in these replies!! Nobody I know carries them in Britain, 'cos our gun laws are so strict. The nearest we carry to a firearm are a few distress flares - oh yeah and maybe a cricket bat!! Amazed to hear about pirates too. I think we live a bit of a sheltered life over here!!
Regards
Max
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mike
- Captain
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- Location: MS Gulf Coast "Wind Dancer" 98 26X
Since I (legally) carry a pistol almost all the time, I don't make an exception to this when boating. We have 4 and 6 year old girls, but take the necessary precautions.
Of course, a pistol wouldn't do a whole lot of good against well-armed (i.e. rifles) adversaries, but that situation is probably extremely rare here in the U.S.
--Mike
Of course, a pistol wouldn't do a whole lot of good against well-armed (i.e. rifles) adversaries, but that situation is probably extremely rare here in the U.S.
--Mike
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Steve Smith
- Just Enlisted
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- Location: Delmar NY
Off topic - reply to "should you carry a gun while sail
Reading the posts on this topic is a Fascinating look at this issue - the media only reports the far left and right views while the debate here shows the issue for what it really is...
Different rules for the ranch on Texas vs midtown Manahattan rather than a 'Federal' cookie cutter law....
Sorry for the political diversion.
I think I would carry in waters far from law enforcement, and not in areas where my buddies in blue where minutes away..follow laws always of course.
Different rules for the ranch on Texas vs midtown Manahattan rather than a 'Federal' cookie cutter law....
Sorry for the political diversion.
I think I would carry in waters far from law enforcement, and not in areas where my buddies in blue where minutes away..follow laws always of course.
I carry a firearm almost 24/7. In Texas we have concealed carry permits that actually lowers crime. It makes the land preditors think twice about robbing that nice old couple. The more legal guns the better. I absolutely 100% make sure I'm armed if I plan to stay on the boat overnight. MIke-
Tom Root
- Captain
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Annville, PA. s/v-Great White, MacX4787A202,'09 Suzuki DF-50
I use that same line on my other half, and she just shakes her head. The boat get's so full, we almost need another one for all the stuff. I always say that we wouldn't have this problem if we get that Mac 65' or maybe the new 70' when it comes into production, well, just a thought!LCB wrote:Better to have it and not need it....Than to need it and not have it.
Tom Root
2002 26
Great White
San Diego
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Sloop John B
- Captain
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- Location: Florida 'Big Bend'. 02x Yamaha T50
Precarious issue.
By the way, issue is a question, not a problem, as current context is twisting it into. Its become a buzz word like the word rachet, that got screwed up.
Anyway, the chances of getting hit up by the Charlie Manson gang, or the several hundred that have followed are out of sight odds wise.
If there are kids in the house, or kids that visit occasionally, then theres no place for any firearms.
When I was of tender age in grade school, I would visit my pal whose father was a shooter supply distributer, and we would click .38 and .45 caliber pistols at each other aiming for the head on the first click. Very sane upper middle class small town well trained kids. By well trained, I mean if the old man was around we showed all the learning and respect we were taught, but when they werent around-- Click!
Kids are simply idiots.
It gives me a little bit of a shiver to think back on what we were doing. Thank God there wasnt a Bang!
Back in the fifties, many of my classmates would bring pistols into school in their underwear. It was pretty neat, like others bringing in pictures of grownup women wearing nothing at all.
Its all changed. Video games, drugs, movies, and there it is on CNN.
I, to this day, have some in-laws who are gun nuts and carry pistols in their underwear when they go down to Wal-Mart. I dont feel there is any need for this. Theyre real up tight on this NRA Charleston Heston crap about the Federal Government coming into their homes to take away their weapons.
Moore did a good documentary with this Columbine Bowling thing on HBO. Showing grade schoolers firing AR-15s at the range. Good grief.
I guess my problem is I was blasting mallards out of the sky with a Winchester .12 gauge pump at that age. Or maybe it was that I was frozen stiff kneeling in the snow trying to control my breathing while sighting in a large buck with a frosted over scope knowing the recoil from the Remington 30:06 would knock me on my little butt.
Some of my friends from the Northeast who visit are taken back by the fact I have seven shotguns and six rifles and an assortment of pistols in the house all loaded. Well, yeah, a collection of deadly snakes. But I dont look at it that way. Its the way I was brought up.
And if there are any kids with them, its hurry scurry no bone ass useless lectures, its hurry scurry.
I think the question concerned firearms aboard the Mac.
Im armed. However, I know if and when such circumstances present themselves that I ever have to pull that piece, chances are less that 50 50 we will live to see the next day.
By the way, issue is a question, not a problem, as current context is twisting it into. Its become a buzz word like the word rachet, that got screwed up.
Anyway, the chances of getting hit up by the Charlie Manson gang, or the several hundred that have followed are out of sight odds wise.
If there are kids in the house, or kids that visit occasionally, then theres no place for any firearms.
When I was of tender age in grade school, I would visit my pal whose father was a shooter supply distributer, and we would click .38 and .45 caliber pistols at each other aiming for the head on the first click. Very sane upper middle class small town well trained kids. By well trained, I mean if the old man was around we showed all the learning and respect we were taught, but when they werent around-- Click!
Kids are simply idiots.
It gives me a little bit of a shiver to think back on what we were doing. Thank God there wasnt a Bang!
Back in the fifties, many of my classmates would bring pistols into school in their underwear. It was pretty neat, like others bringing in pictures of grownup women wearing nothing at all.
Its all changed. Video games, drugs, movies, and there it is on CNN.
I, to this day, have some in-laws who are gun nuts and carry pistols in their underwear when they go down to Wal-Mart. I dont feel there is any need for this. Theyre real up tight on this NRA Charleston Heston crap about the Federal Government coming into their homes to take away their weapons.
Moore did a good documentary with this Columbine Bowling thing on HBO. Showing grade schoolers firing AR-15s at the range. Good grief.
I guess my problem is I was blasting mallards out of the sky with a Winchester .12 gauge pump at that age. Or maybe it was that I was frozen stiff kneeling in the snow trying to control my breathing while sighting in a large buck with a frosted over scope knowing the recoil from the Remington 30:06 would knock me on my little butt.
Some of my friends from the Northeast who visit are taken back by the fact I have seven shotguns and six rifles and an assortment of pistols in the house all loaded. Well, yeah, a collection of deadly snakes. But I dont look at it that way. Its the way I was brought up.
And if there are any kids with them, its hurry scurry no bone ass useless lectures, its hurry scurry.
I think the question concerned firearms aboard the Mac.
Im armed. However, I know if and when such circumstances present themselves that I ever have to pull that piece, chances are less that 50 50 we will live to see the next day.