Posted:
March 9, 2010
The Coast Guard has issued a port security advisory summarizing the laws affecting the carriage of firearms onboard vessels. According to the port security advisory, there are a number of applicable regulations and two legal routes.
"Although AMO maintains the U.S. Department of Defense should be providing embarked security teams for the relatively few U.S.-flagged vessels that transit piracy-prone areas, often carrying U.S. government cargoes, the presence of firearms on merchant ships has become more prevalent," said AMO National Vice President at Large Michael Murphy. "It is strongly recommended that AMO members working on commercial ships that carry firearms be familiar with this port security advisory."
According to the port security advisory, the "most flexible" solution is for vessel operators to obtain a DSP-73 temporary export license, which would allow the vessel to import and export listed firearms into and out of the U.S. over a four-year period, provided "the U.S. persons aboard complied with the Gun Control Act, the National Firearms Act, and applicable state laws."
The Coast Guard states individuals using weapons and vessel operators bringing weapons onto a ship must comply with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations, as well as state laws where the vessel may call. The export and import of most firearms fall under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
According to the Coast Guard, a personal exemption under ITAR could also be used by individuals to export up to three non-automatic firearms and 1,000 rounds of ammunition "for their personal use." An ITAR personal exemption would need to be reissued for each trip and would not allow for the transfer of weapons.
Finally, the Coast Guard notes vessel owners, operators and security companies must comply with foreign port state requirements. Vessels should contact the local embassy to determine requirements for transporting firearms within each nation.
The complete port security advisory - Port Security Advisory (4-09)(Rev 3) - is available on the Coast Guard's Homeport Web site in the "Alerts and Notices" section.
Coast Guard clarifies laws, regulations governing the transport of firearms onboard commercial vessels
The Coast Guard has issued a port security advisory summarizing the laws affecting the carriage of firearms onboard vessels. According to the port security advisory, there are a number of applicable regulations and two legal routes.
"Although AMO maintains the U.S. Department of Defense should be providing embarked security teams for the relatively few U.S.-flagged vessels that transit piracy-prone areas, often carrying U.S. government cargoes, the presence of firearms on merchant ships has become more prevalent," said AMO National Vice President at Large Michael Murphy. "It is strongly recommended that AMO members working on commercial ships that carry firearms be familiar with this port security advisory."
According to the port security advisory, the "most flexible" solution is for vessel operators to obtain a DSP-73 temporary export license, which would allow the vessel to import and export listed firearms into and out of the U.S. over a four-year period, provided "the U.S. persons aboard complied with the Gun Control Act, the National Firearms Act, and applicable state laws."
The Coast Guard states individuals using weapons and vessel operators bringing weapons onto a ship must comply with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations, as well as state laws where the vessel may call. The export and import of most firearms fall under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
According to the Coast Guard, a personal exemption under ITAR could also be used by individuals to export up to three non-automatic firearms and 1,000 rounds of ammunition "for their personal use." An ITAR personal exemption would need to be reissued for each trip and would not allow for the transfer of weapons.
Finally, the Coast Guard notes vessel owners, operators and security companies must comply with foreign port state requirements. Vessels should contact the local embassy to determine requirements for transporting firearms within each nation.
The complete port security advisory - Port Security Advisory (4-09)(Rev 3) - is available on the Coast Guard's Homeport Web site in the "Alerts and Notices" section.