In the Offshore Forum there has been on on-going debate about whether or not it is necessary to shoot sharks. I don't want to continue that debate here. However, since many members mentioned that they bring pistols out to sea, I just wanted to bring to everyone's attention the Pistol Permit laws in New York state and how they apply to boating...
Unless you are active or retired law enforcement or enlisted in the military, coast guard, or other service, a valid Pistol Permit is required to possess a pistol in New York state.
There are several types of permits that can be secured such as PREMISE, TARGET, HUNTING, and CARRY.
A PREMISE permit allows a citizen to keep a registered permit at their place of residency.
A TARGET permit allows a citizen to transport their pistol to and from a recognized pistol shooting range.
A HUNTING permit allows a citizen who also possesses a valid NYS HUNTING LICENSE to carry a registered pistol while engaging in hunting activities that are permitted by the state hunting laws (for example DEER HUNTING).
A CARRY permit is a special use permit that is issued to citizens who can prove that they have a specific need to be armed outside of their home. For instance, business owners who make large cash deposits, security guards, body guards, politicians, etc...
Here is where it gets complicated...
Statistically, less than 20% of all permits are full "carry" permits. That leaves most of us with premise permits, hunting permits, target permits or a combination of the three. With this in mind, unless you are waterfowl hunting with a pistol during the proper waterfowl hunting season (which I doubt would be legal), it would be unlawful to leave your house and bring a pistol on a boat if you only possess a target, hunting or premise permit.
In addition, if you read the "fine print" that comes with the pistol permit, you'll see that in some Counties it specifically states that it is unlawful to take any of your registered pistols out of New York state without permission. So once you are 3 miles off into the ocean, you've violated the law by leaving New York state (and this applies to all pistol permits, even carry).
I'm not familiar with the rules that govern the various law enforcement agencies. However, I have heard that some agencies have specific rules that prohibit their officers from taking their service weapons outside of New York state. Like I said, I'm not too familiar with those rules. I do know that the media would have a field day if they ever learned that a police officer or a detective was using a firearm that was purchased with our taxpayer money to shoot sharks on the weekends.
Unless you are active or retired law enforcement or enlisted in the military, coast guard, or other service, a valid Pistol Permit is required to possess a pistol in New York state.
There are several types of permits that can be secured such as PREMISE, TARGET, HUNTING, and CARRY.
A PREMISE permit allows a citizen to keep a registered permit at their place of residency.
A TARGET permit allows a citizen to transport their pistol to and from a recognized pistol shooting range.
A HUNTING permit allows a citizen who also possesses a valid NYS HUNTING LICENSE to carry a registered pistol while engaging in hunting activities that are permitted by the state hunting laws (for example DEER HUNTING).
A CARRY permit is a special use permit that is issued to citizens who can prove that they have a specific need to be armed outside of their home. For instance, business owners who make large cash deposits, security guards, body guards, politicians, etc...
Here is where it gets complicated...
Statistically, less than 20% of all permits are full "carry" permits. That leaves most of us with premise permits, hunting permits, target permits or a combination of the three. With this in mind, unless you are waterfowl hunting with a pistol during the proper waterfowl hunting season (which I doubt would be legal), it would be unlawful to leave your house and bring a pistol on a boat if you only possess a target, hunting or premise permit.
In addition, if you read the "fine print" that comes with the pistol permit, you'll see that in some Counties it specifically states that it is unlawful to take any of your registered pistols out of New York state without permission. So once you are 3 miles off into the ocean, you've violated the law by leaving New York state (and this applies to all pistol permits, even carry).
I'm not familiar with the rules that govern the various law enforcement agencies. However, I have heard that some agencies have specific rules that prohibit their officers from taking their service weapons outside of New York state. Like I said, I'm not too familiar with those rules. I do know that the media would have a field day if they ever learned that a police officer or a detective was using a firearm that was purchased with our taxpayer money to shoot sharks on the weekends.