Should I bring a gun with me rowing?

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Just don't want to see you get into trouble. Your adventure sounds risky.
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Fair enough.

I don't think it's as risky as it might sound. I just want to make sure I'm prepared just in case. I've lived on the ocean since '91 and have gone out on other people's boats, but this will be the first time I've done this kind of stuff on my own locally. I've done kayaking and rafting in the mountains both East and West, but never locally despite living on the water for quite a while.

Gators scare me as I find them unpredictable. I wasn't sure if I was overreacting by thinking about bringing a gun on a rowing trip. I tended to think I was. I am somewhat pleasantly surprised to learn that I actually wasn't overreacting by entertaining the idea. It means that I'm not crazy. :)
I view this as a chance to buy another gun, your "kayaking" gun. Good choice on alternate exercise, my advice would be to watch a video or read a kayaking book to get the basics of the stroke down, get a good paddle, always bring the safety equipment you already bought, and have fun! And check the weather before you go!
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I was thinking the same thing. "Well, I can't bring any of my current guns with me.... they're not really 'kayaking guns'". Oh darn..... I'll just have to buy another one for this activity.

I went to a West Marine today and looked for a book. I also got the few extra things I didn't realize I needed under law (apparently I need a fire extinguisher on board even though I won't have a motor). Didn't find a good book though, but it was a small store. I'll check a larger one farther out tomorrow.
The only reasons I can see for going unarmed is because you are going rowing in a courthouse or while voting in a government election,
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If that mountain in the canary islands collapses like they're saying it eventually will - that will be the case.

Like I said, I have nothing against bringing a gun with me as that has been my daily routine for the last 2 years or so. So, now that I see that I actually wasn't overreacting by thinking about it, I'll be sure to do so. If nothing else, as mentioned before, it's a great excuse to buy a new gun.

---------- Edited to add ---------

Unfortunately, this whole activity has been put on hold as of today. I woke up this morning in a lot of pain related to an injury sustained during that bike accident. Turned out I had to have surgery this afternoon as there was a massive infection inside my leg (amazing how something as simple as falling off a bike can turn into multiple medical problems so fast and rack up a bill). So, now I'm supposed to wait until this heals before I can risk ending up in the water.

In the meantime, I can research a kayaking gun. I'm thinking something along the lines of some type of revolver. Maybe the new 4" 10mm S&W model 610 revolver that also can use .40SW ammo. I've been itching for an excuse to buy one. Or the 6" version. If 10mm wouldn't be enough handgun for potential wildlife issues, I don't know what would be.

I still need to research the laws though on this. I know I've satisfied all coast guard requirements for safety stuff, and I now know that I need to go to the DMV (even though my boat has no motor) to get a registration number (pretty stupid IMO that I have to register an inflatable canoe/kayak). However, carrying on a boat I don't know about. To my knowledge, open carry is allowed when fishing, but I won't be fishing. I would imagine it's legal to have a gun on a boat, especially when you have a CWP, but I need to check first. I also need to check wildlife laws.
 
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oooh. A Taurus Judge would also fit the bill.

So - let's move this thread in a new direction since I can't get in the boat for a while anyways.

Instead of "Should I bring a gun with me rowing?" - new question:

What gun should I bring with me rowing? Caliber recommendations, etc.
 
I'd take an air tank and a Garand along with you in case you're attacked by a great white shark.
 
.cheese. I was going to say "The Judge" as well, but you beat me. Kind of big, but great utility weapon in my view. 45LC for the 2 legged predators, and shot for the 4 or 0 legged predators out there. Though the latter can be avoided 99% of the time.
 
Mr. White, good call.

Speaking of that movie: anyone ever notice that the cop in the kids n' fin scene is holding a Carbine with no magazine in it?

-Sans Authoritas
 
Well it sounds like you've already decided to bring one which is good. I like the motto "Hope for the best, Plan for the worst".

I would think a Ruger GP100 would probably be enough for anything that you may encounter.
 
Hey, .cheese., I do feel kinda obligated to point out that a gator will 99% not mess with you in a kayak. If you don't have much time in them, It's pretty hard to fall out of them unless you're try/being dumb.

Also, I'm intruiged. What's the regulating agency you have to register your kayak with? County? I'm on the other coast, and we don't have to register any unpowered vessel under a certain length. 20 feet, I think. Canoes and Kayaks are ok, I know. No fire extinguisher either.

As to gun choice, I'd reccomend a stainless revolver in your favorite caliber. I really think your biggest issue will be meth labs, if you get WAY off the beaten path (possible and lots of fun) or drunks ON the beaten path (possible and not fun.)

Either that or maybe your favorite autoloader, but take good care of those tiny inside parts either way. Keep it clean or it'll rust up in a hurry.

Easy on that leg. Infections can be nasty. A staph infection from a cut nearly killed my grandfather.
 
Also, I'm intruiged. What's the regulating agency you have to register your kayak with? County? I'm on the other coast, and we don't have to register any unpowered vessel under a certain length. 20 feet, I think. Canoes and Kayaks are ok, I know. No fire extinguisher either.
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I'm trying to find that out myself. It seems nuts that I'd have to. Supposedly even my inflatable qualifies as a "Vessel under 16 feet" and I still have to satisfy certain laws. If I add a small motor (the mount is already there if I ever want to) then there are even more things I have to have on board.

When I get the answer to this I'll post it. It seems especially odd that the DMV should be involved for a craft with no motor. D Motor V ---> So if no motor, then why DMV?

Might as well have the BATFE regulate bubble-gum cigars.
 
.cheese. said:
Funny. :) What's the air tank for?
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Did you ever see Jaws?
Chief Brody jams an oxygen tank into the shark's mouth, climbs up onto the sinking ship's mast and shoots the air tank with the Garand, exploding the tank and killing the shark. C'mon, that was an easy one, Cinema 101 stuff.
 
I would definitely take one, you never know what could happen. Someone mentioned a lanyard which I would second. I can imagine the long dramatic NOOOOOOOOOOOO as your gun sinks away. But then you could take up scuba diving and go looking for your treasure!
 
(apparently I need a fire extinguisher on board even though I won't have a motor).
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.cheese, who told you that you needed a fire extinguisher even though you don't have a motor? I just checked through my handy dandy Boarding Officer Job Aid Kit and on recreational vessels less than 16 ft an extinguisher is only required for a close construction vessel. With no engine or gas can your kayak doesn't even come close to the definition of closed construction.
 
If I add a small motor (the mount is already there if I ever want to) then there are even more things I have to have on board.
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Yeah, that doesn't surprise me. I'm pretty sure we have to register anything with a gasoline engine, regardless of size. I think you're ok if it's electric and under a certain length though, like a canoe with a trolling motor.

Quite the conundrum.
 
If you can carry a firearm legally, then the snubbie .357 Magnum should meet both the power and penetration factors others have mentioned. The next question that you might wish to address is what rounds would best serve your boating needs. Remember, some .357 loads are better than others for penetration if gator defense is your primary purpose.

Really, a .357 is a very versatile handgun and it should meet your defensive needs quite well. Since you already own a .357 snubbie, then I do not think you need to consider purchasing a different handgun for this situation. I hope the injury heals soon.


Timthinker
 
you have to register anything with ANY motor, regardless of hp, even electric. even a kayak, then you are subject to the rules garnered for powered craft. NO you won't need a fire extinguisher. Yes, you must have a life jacket, either way, if you have a ccw, you can probably take a firearm.


oh!


and check the tides, always check the freakin' tides. they will screw you hard when they can.
 
.cheese, who told you that you needed a fire extinguisher even though you don't have a motor?
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It was printed on a big chart in a West Marine store. They had a chart/sign that listed requirements and there was even a listing for boats that you row by size. Apparently, if I don't have all the requirements, it's an $1,100 fine.

Now, whether that sign was false and just trying to scare people into buying stuff, I don't know. I know very little about this stuff. I believe it was listed as "Required by Coast Guard" or something like that.

It seemed crazy to me that you'd need a fire extinguisher on a canoe or kayak.... but according to the sign that was the case.

I haven't opened the box, so I should probably find out definitively whether that sign was correct or not. If it was baloney, I'll take back the extinguisher. I have plenty around the house, but none that were meant for boating (powder coated aluminum).
 
.cheese, I'm in the Coast Guard and I'm calling BS on that one! The easiest way to fix the problem is to call the closest Coast Guard station and ask to speak to a Boarding Officer. Explain to them that you just bought the boat and want to make sure you have all the required safety equipment. When I handled calls like that I went straight to the BOJAK and read them the USCG requirements and asked if they had any questions on what was required and how to use the equipment.
 
Don't try to be a sothsayer...

Why would you NOT want to carry? Gators? Backwoods streams? By yourself where anything odd can happen?
I'd carry. But, then again, I always do.
 
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