Here be the cites maties! arrrrgh.
Background: Here's the 1972 Colregs This is a treaty signed by USA and lots of other Maritime Nations.
The International Rules were formalized in the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, and became effective on July 15, 1977. The Rules (commonly called 72 COLREGS) are part of the Convention, and vessels flying the flags of states ratifying the treaty are bound to the rules. The United States has ratified this treaty and all United States flag vessels must adhere to these Rules where applicable. President Gerald R. Ford proclaimed 72 COLREGS and the Congress adopted them as the International Navigation Rules Act of 1977.
Heres the link to the entire 1972 colregs (Enjoy :>)
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=intlinland
Here's the list of the Maritime Nations that have signed the treaty and are bound by it.
# 3
http://www.imo.org/About/Membership/Pages/MemberStates.aspx
#2 (Well okay... not so much required but encouraged to carry...) here's the link
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=Rule3637
Rule 36 Shows a 1911 Gun that you should fire in intervals of 1 min if you are in distress. I have all the signals aboard, as should all Vessels. (Can't fire it if you don't have it)
Other countries that you are entering into, you must give them a complete manifest of cargo for customs (everything aboard, I have listed one colt 1911 pistol under "Safety Equipment")
The only thing another country could possibly do is make you lock it up and seal it. They can't make you surrender it because they signed the TREATY!
Other states... say Maryland, New York etc don't get to know whats aboard... and they could perform a safety check the Gun will not be in plain view.
Local Leo:
LEO: Do you have any firearms aboard.
me: I have nothing illegal aboard
Let them violate my rights and perform their ILLEGAL IMMORAL "Safety Check" they need RAS to search the vessel.
USCG in a State that VIOLATES my rights like MARYLAND, NJ, ETC ETC
USCG: Do you have any firearms aboard?
me: I have nothing illegal aboard
USCG in a State that provides for my rights:
USCG: do you have any firearms aboard:
me: Yes LOTS of them..
remember that the COLREGS say I can have a GUN. tough luck for Maryland, New York, New Jersey etc...
But having said all this... WARNING!!! your mileage may vary!
http://thetriton.com/article/2010/10/yacht-captain-arrested-ny-over-possession-firearm
Notice that the Coast Guard Cleared the vessel, the state swoops later and arrests the captain... SHAMEFUL...