What do you carry on your boat for Protection.....

[walkeraviator]

Yes, open carry is legal anywhere not restricted by federal law in the state of Kentucky. Thanks to the 7th ammendment of teh state constitution, only Concealed Carry can be regulated by state government. And state law says that no city, county, or municipality may make any firearms laws that are more restrictive than state law. With that said, it is 100% legal to open carry or to concealed carry (with proper permit) while on the water. However, I am still trying to clarify whether carrying on Army Corps property (boat ramps, dams, parks) is legal.

Additonally, there is no "two step" rule in Kentucky. Its either in plain sight, or is considered concealed. IN a motor vehicle, it will not be considered concealed if it is place in a factory installed glove box in your motor vehicle regardless of whether that container is locked or not. Does motor vehicle apply to boat is teh question... I do not know, and the KRS isnt clear. So if you wann keep a gun in your glove box (at least in your car) unlocked, with a mag in and a round in the pipe... it is still not considered concealed carry... this is all KRS 527.020

I, however, never leave home without my S&W M&P40c concealed on my body. When on the water, I will occasionally place the firearm in teh glove box for comfort. If it were me, I would open carry in KY if i did not have a CCDW, but would recommend the CCDW route if you have the means to do so... because yes most LEO's are less educated about teh laws they enforce than we are, and if you catch one in a bad mood, you may end up in Jaiil and having to get a lawyer involved to defend yoru civil rights.

[PRO V LE]

You may want to check the rules of the COE and the US Forestry service before carrying on their property permit or not. This includes lakes etc.

[dyoung57]

I also had the same/similar questions. It seemed that depending on who you talked to or asked, you get conflicting answers because of the gray areas in the laws. I chose to acquire my CCDW permit. There are NO gray areas in these laws. Therefore peace of mind and weapon readily available should it be necessary.

[Bobby Headrick]

I heard that on Falcon lake that guys are mounting 30 or 50cals on the back deck, so one can fish and the other shoot. It is sad that we now live in a socitey that is reverting back to old west days, Glad they did not do anything to you Geo, Get a" 44 mag the most powerful handgun in the world, powerful enough to blow your head clean off, so do you feel lucky punk". But serisouly I have seen some that carry shotguns and have them mounted in a rod locker that you can get to quick, they make a stanlis steel marine model, filled with buckshot and a couple slugs it is a great deterent and has effective stopping power, as if the perp is wearing a vest te buckshot will tear thru it and if that dont work then the slug will stop him. Lot easier to hit a moving target with a shotgun.

[Embrey]

is it legal to have a shot gun on your boat? cause i have no problem carrying one. been wanting to for awhile

[MrSplitshot]

http://www.kc3.com

#1, get a Kentucky CCDW permit. That will require taking a 1-day training course and passing a shooting test. If you pay attention in the class, a good instructor like I had will cover a lot of different scenarios and answer a lot of questions. Nobody should carry without knowledge of the law, your rights, and some forethought about how you would react in situations where you perceive that your life is in danger, a by-stander's life is in danger, etc. Even if you don't want a CCDW permit, take a class, read some good books on the subject of defensive handgun carry. Walkeraviator's post is spot on too.

#2, there is some concern about carrying, even with a permit, on COE and US Forestry Service property. I'm not certain that it's okay...I'd like some solid answers on that one myself. My position on it, quite honestly, has been that I'm still putting my gun in my pocket. If I need it to protect my life, I'll take the rap for carrying in an unauthorized place...at least I'll be alive.

Carrying a gun is a privilege, but it comes with a lot of responsibilities. I'm very touchy about it. It's a subject that can be debated a lot! Geo, I'm sure based on what I've read here from you that you are a responsible law-abiding citizen who can think quick on your feet, without a doubt. There are others that aren't so responsible and think that simply having a gun in their possession is enough - It's not. You have to have the restraint to only use it as a last resort...and the quick, logical thinking, to know when to use and it when not to use it. Even though "Standing your Ground" is a fundamental ideology in Kentucky law, I believe that things like avoiding conflict, taking reasonable steps to retreat from a threat, and demonstrating an intention not to fight before using lethal force are just as important as selecting the right weapon and being proficient with it. I often think about certain situations that I hear about in the news and try to come up with how I would react, as a CCDW holder, to protect my life, a by-stander's life, or property. That might involve using my gun, or using my brain. I want to avoid having to pull my firearm at all costs, but if I decide to show it, it's because I'm going to use it...quickly...to neutralize a threat.

A lot of debate about what are the best concealed carry guns...I do not buy into the "carrying capacity" argument against 5-6 shot revolvers. The majority of situations involving civilians and self-defense are handled in a couple of shots, at very close range. Do not over-look a snub nosed .38 Special that will handle +P ammunition. Small, light, relatively accurate for what they are, and the ability to deliver a punch center-mass at close range.

I want a weapon that is reliable, always "goes bang", and is convenient to totally conceal. A small revolver fits that bill. If it's bulky or a bit of a chore to carry it, you are more apt to leave it at home....it can't protect your life if it's in the nightstand. I carry a Ruger LCP .380 in many cases, simply because of convenience. Extremely light, concealable, and with the right loads can stop a threat, even wearing bulky clothing. (Google Ruger LCP Hornady Critical Defense Loads - You want a round that will expand at impact, not get clogged with material, and stay inside the victim - Not pass through.) It will easily slip into a jeans pocket, coat pocket, even the pocket of gym shorts when you're on a run. I use an inside-the-pocket holster (Desantis "Nemesis"). It's no more bulky than your wallet or cell phone. With an extremely long trigger pull, it can be carried safely inside the pocket with one in the chamber. Many LEO's use them as backup guns, worn on the ankle.

I have 9mm, 45, etc...all great guns...but I find that I carry the .380 or .38 Special more times than not out of convenience. Yes, you'll get the arguments about not being able to stop some guy jacked up on drugs...and that may be true...but there are times when larger calibers won't stop them either. It's a balancing act, really.

For home defense, it gets much easier for me....with a .45, cocked and locked, and little regard for why you broke into my house. I will not try to find out whether you intend to steal my TV or rape my wife. I will shoot first, then ask those questions later. Sorry to be so inconsiderate of the criminal's feelings, but I am what I am. A 12-ga pump, short barrel, with good loads is also a fine home defense weapon...wouldn't be bad to keep in a rod locker, but I'd much prefer a handgun in my pocket...always accessible to me quickly, in one slick movement, whether I'm in the boat, in the parking lot at the ramp, or walking up from the ramp to the bathroom to take a leak.

[raincheck]

Hearing this made my mind up too get the permit.Allways was on my mind when i was running tournments.Thanks for the info.

[eddie_m]

Geo, you might want to verify with the KDFWR that it's OK to carry a loaded shotgun during hunting season without a hunting license.

[olgreenboat]

About 2 months ago the house across the road was robbed and was done about 2 PM my son was ridding his dirt bike I was in the garage working on my truck and the wife was in the yard swing well the girl got home and ask us if we seen any one and she had been robbed , Long story short The county sherriff came over and i ask him " Were do i stand if they try this here at my house" He said to get my ccdw permit ( I do have it)this would help a bunch he also said what ever you do do not shoot any one in the side or back because they will say he was trying to get away from you you will get a charge and he said to be the best witnes you can be. I have herd so many rummers about you should hide or run away he said B.S. if there in your house there paid for and or if you walk out to your garage and he/they run at you there paid for just do not shoot any one in the side or back.
Like mrsplitshot said :
I think about what i would do and another thing you have to deal with is your own mind can you handle taking some one elses life? What if he / she is only 12 - 16 years old.
One last thought here GEO what ever gun you do buy go out and shoot it shoot it alot then shoot some more practice taking from your holster and shooting it. Alot of people buy a gun seldum shoot it and when they do they cant hit a thing .

Glad you are Ok man you can read the KRS: laws online but what ever you do get Your CCDW

[Embrey]

About 2 months ago the house across the road was robbed and was done about 2 PM my son was ridding his dirt bike I was in the garage working on my truck and the wife was in the yard swing well the girl got home and ask us if we seen any one and she had been robbed , Long story short The county sherriff came over and i ask him " Were do i stand if they try this here at my house" He said to get my ccdw permit ( I do have it)this would help a bunch he also said what ever you do do not shoot any one in the side or back because they will say he was trying to get away from you you will get a charge and he said to be the best witnes you can be. I have herd so many rummers about you should hide or run away he said B.S. if there in your house there paid for and or if you walk out to your garage and he/they run at you there paid for just do not shoot any one in the side or back.
Like mrsplitshot said :
I think about what i would do and another thing you have to deal with is your own mind can you handle taking some one elses life? What if he / she is only 12 - 16 years old.
One last thought here GEO what ever gun you do buy go out and shoot it shoot it alot then shoot some more practice taking from your holster and shooting it. Alot of people buy a gun seldum shoot it and when they do they cant hit a thing .

Glad you are Ok man you can read the KRS: laws online but what ever you do get Your CCDW

see ,that is crap. if someone is IN my garage or house, i should be allowed to blow their head off,no questions asked. i dont really want to wait and see what they have for me or care to ask what theyre doing . they arent supposed to be there and they knew that walking in.

[olgreenboat]

see ,that is crap. if someone is IN my garage or house, i should be allowed to blow their head off,no questions asked. i dont really want to wait and see what they have for me or care to ask what theyre doing . they arent supposed to be there and they knew that walking in.

I agree 100% but that is what he told me. If some one breakes in my home, I dont care if they standing on there head they are going to have a very bad day but out side the home it is illeagle to use forse to protect persoal property. Like some one else said having a ccdw permit will get rid of a big gray area in this 1/2 crap written laws.
Hay GEO you might want to look into a springfield XD45 the cop that told me this stuff had one and loved it and there priced right..

[MrSplitshot]

For me, personally, if I'm outside the home...I am not concerned about using lethal force to protect possessions. I'm concerned about my life. If someone wants my car, my wallet, or my fishing rods...they have a weapon...and they are willing to use that weapon to attempt to take them from me...they're probably going to get my stuff. Even though I carry, it's highly likely that I would give up possessions rather than pull a weapon and take a life to protect "stuff." It's just not worth it for me to go Wild West on somebody and take a chance on getting shot if all he wants is stuff. I don't think that's being weak. I think that's being rational.

But, there is a fine line between whether or not you feel like your life is in danger. If someone is armed, be it with a gun, knife, or baseball bat...I have to quickly assess whether they just want my stuff, or whether they want my stuff after killing me so that I can't ID them. Think about that. Whether you're on a boat ramp at 2am, in line at the bank, or stopping at the liquor store for a 6-pack...and a threat presents itself...is your life imminently in danger? Quick decision. If you perceive that it is, you have a right to defend it with lethal force. Just because you have the right to, doesn't mean that it's always the best choice.

Years ago when I was a kid, my Dad was in line at the grocery store real late one night picking up some medicine for me. He heard a commotion over the intercom and a man in a ski-mask came running down out of the front office, where he had knocked over a clerk who couldn't get into the safe. He walked straight down to the lane Dad was in, went up to the cashier, and stuck the business end of a revolver in her back....demanded the cash. Dad took a step backwards, and the guy put the gun in his face, calmly told him that he ought to rethink moving, unless he wanted to wind up dead tonight. Did Dad perceive that his life was in danger? I'm sure. Did Dad have every right under KRS to pull a gun and shoot the attacker? Yep. Would it have been smart to do it in that situation? In my opinion, no. The attacker obviously had the upper hand and Dad had no element of surprise whatsoever. If the bullets had started flying, it would have been a different story, and you do what you can to duck, get behind something, and go for your weapon. Otherwise, you put your hands to the sky and do what the man says...let him have your wallet if he wants it. That's not weak. That's smart. Dad never carried, so I remember him telling me that all he could have done was pick up the nearest can of pork-n-beans and go upside his head...and he didn't like the odds of canned goods vs Smith & Wesson. LOL

As far as people breaking into your home and your rights to use lethal force against them, Google "The Castle Doctrine" and read. This is that "Stand Your Ground" ideology that says a person has the right to defend "Their Castle"...in short, you have the right to shoot on sight when the intruder has entered your dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle. KRS 503.055 Don't worry if you shoot them in the side, the back, or the ass. LOL Just make sure you shoot them dead. The one that lives is the only one that gets to tell the story.