Ive never carried one, but I found some co-anglers 380 round stuck in my drain after fishin top-6 at amistad a couple of years ago. Would have been nice to know that this stranger that drew me had a freakin gun in my boat!

Yep, rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Sure, there's a small chance it'll be too far away or I'll encounter folks with bigger guns, and it probably won't do me much good in those situations. But it doesn't hurt to have it in there in case I run into a situation where it can be useful. Who knows, maybe I'll run into a coyote at the ramp and be forced to pull a Rick Perry.

Seriously? On the water? If you get in a situation on the water where you think you'll need a handgun, then you are more than likely at least 50% of the problem. Just leave! It's not worth an altercation.

How many reports of gunfights have we heard of on our area lakes? Personally, I can't think of one.

I'n in my 51 years, I have NEVER been in a situation on the water that a handgun would help.

I guess we will be blastin at each other over who's spot it is lol. I own my fair share but have never felt the need to carry a gun to go fishing. Heck before I owned a boat I bank fished all the boat ramps at night and never had a problem.

I've had few big azz water mocassins try to get in the boat a few times, that a snake charmer would have come in handy.

There's lots of folks who've never been in any situation where a concealed handgun would have helped, but there's numerous cases every year where someone defends themself with their concealed handgun. Just because it hasn't happened to you doesn't mean it can't happen next time out.

I do agree that the chances of an issue occuring on the water are slim, but I mainly carry it because I usually fish alone and I always worry about being by myself with an expensive (for me) truck and boat at the ramp. And I just don't want to leave it in the truck while I'm fishing all day.

But I still haven't heard a good reason not to bring it if it's legal to do so on that particular body of water.

Only situation ive heard of was down at falcon! Never heard of a dual between actual fisherman. I did have a guy pull a taser over a parking spot at the cabin once though lol, but he realized he was gonna loose that battle real quick.

Show me patriot. Show me the numerous cases on the water where someone defends themself with a handgun.

In their home, sure happening much more frequently. But on the lake? Show me.

It is certainly your right to carry in your boat in Texas. I see the comments many of the billy baddazz keyboard commandos make here all the time. Those are the types who should NEVER have a gun handy in a verbal confrontation.

All the rattletrap and lead chunkin' tough guys, who would trim up and shower someone or blow out an area because they are mad have no business with a gun anywhere in proximity.

BINGO!

I'm pretty sure that in one of the last few sessions the Texas laws were clarified or changed so that your vehicle (would qualify as your boat right?) is considered the same as your residence. Castle doctrine maybe? Therefore you can have guns in your vehicle while on state, federal, school property etc. You just can't carry them on your person outside the vehicle.

I would not even consider bringing a firearm across the border. My guess is the federales would bury you under the prison.

I'm not a lawyer but I stayed at a holiday inn express last night.

Take a pistol or ammo in your boat into Mexico could be like taking a pistol to a Cattle Prod fight and they have your pistol!

If your a tournament fisherman make sure and read the rules for your respective trail. In most only LEO's are permitted to carry and its illegal to carry on ANY Corps of Engineers Lake, which even if not listed in the tournament rules specifically about the gun there is still the rule that says you must follow all state and federal laws. It would really suck to catch the bag of a lifetime only to get protested by someone that knew you were packing.

I don't think I read in his post anywhere about arguing statistics. The statement is that it COULD happen. In the ways things are these days, that would be a true statement



This is laughable even coming from you Fouz. I can't really believe that you would actually take any of the big chest thumpers posts on this site with a grain of salt. Everyone knows behind a keyboard, we all gain 100 lbs and grow another foot in heigth. That's what makes so many of the posts on this forum a joke because some people cant' seem to act like adults.

In light of the path that this post has gone, there needs to be some key comments brought forth. From the majority of those that do carry, there are several good reasons. One is for coming back to an empty parking lot after a late night excursion. This I would agree with. You never know whom is going to be sitting in that parking lot waiting for you once you come back in. Second is for the pure fact of leaving a firearm in a vehicle at a boat ramp.

We all are aware of how many vehicles get broke into on a regular basis in parking lots. Taking a firearm out of the vehicle IS the smart thing to do. I don't think any person on this forum would ever live down the fact knowing that their firearm is running loose in the hands of a criminal.

To tell a quick story, there is a man that I work with whom does not believe in gun ownership. There has been many discussions between him and myself. It is his choice so I do not bash him for it but...... he is the type of person in this world that thinks and believes he can talk his way out of any situation. It is people like this that in some point in their lives, they will more than likely become a victim.

For those that have CHL's, choose to carry a firearm where legally permitted if a non CHL holder, those are the ones whom choose not to be a victim or at the least, do what they can from being a victim.

There is no right or wrong in this situation as it is a personal choice. For those that disagree with a person that decides to carry, so be it. That is your decision but don't force your opinion on others. But..... for the mere fact that someone on this board COULD become a statistic or victim, that someone should not come out and make a public announcement and cry to the fact that they may have been done wrong in a situation where they could have better protected themselves.

As for the Mexico comments, pretty sure everyone would agree not to carry anything firearm related into Mexican waters. If your gonna carry, stay in Texas.

And for the record, I carry a firearm everywhere permitted by the current laws for both CHL and Castle Doctrines. There will not be a firearm left in my vehicle at ANY boat ramp. Not only for my protection but the protection of others. If tourney fishing, it stays at home.

" never been in a situation on the water where a gun would help "

So, you`ve never wing shot a bass that leaped out of the water to shake your hook ? You get a dead fish penalty at weigh in, but it still adds to your total ! !

+1. No need for me to carry,anywhere. Certainly,not on the lake.

Okay guys....I think we all agree it's dumb to even attempt to bring any type of firearm into Mexico.

However, I find it extremely disturbing how negative some of you guys sound on the subject of concealed carry. I've always thought that the majority of bass fisherman were conservative people....and usually supported the 2nd Amendment.

fouzman,

You are one of the people on this forum that I really respect, and almost always agree with.....but not this time. I really don't understand why you have such a problem with people carrying a gun in their boat. I have a CHL and I carry EVERYWHERE it is legal, and that includes on the lake.

I don't carry on the lake because I think something is going to happen on the lake....I carry because you might have a flat tire on the way back from the lake at night, or need to stop for gas at a less-than-desirable gas station, or any of the other five thousand things that can happen to you in transit to and from the lake.....(also some ramps can be a little shady at night).

I carry everywhere, I'm not going to leave it in my truck just because I don't think I will need it on the lake. I'm not going to get "lake rage" and shoot someone over a fishing spot....or anything ridiculous like that. People who have a CHL are usually very responsible, level-headed people. It sounds to me like you are confusing them with criminals.

The last couple posts you made were just stupid and uncalled for.

Get a concealed weapon license permit and you can carry a pistol on your hip. Im not swatting bullets with my flipping stick!

You'll never know if I'm armed or not as concealed means CONCEALED!

Let me clarify my opinion. First off, I too am a CHL holder and a vigourous defender of our second amendment rights.

I have spent thousands of hours on the water alone, both during day and night. Was I armed? I'll never admit that I was or was not.

My point of why carry, is based upon on my personal experience. I've never needed one. And in the very rare instance there were words exchanged, I always just go somewhere else on the lake. I'm not gonna let some azzclown ruin my day on the lake.

But I see so many people on here talking about what they would or wouldn't do on the water, it scares me to think of those same tough guys armed. They're the ones you have to worry about being armed. The one's who would yell at you on the lake. Encroach on your water. And know they have a gun to back them up.

Guess what, you pull a gun on me on the water in the US, you're probably going to die. But I do not encourage that type of reaction unless your life or those of your occupants are in imminent danger. Much easier to be the bigger man, for me at least.

Last year the court, the supreme court of the land, ruled that an individual HAS the right to bear arms...............so I could not give a rats behind about state laws or regulations. If you want to carry in your boat and are ready for the hassle go for it.

But have your civil right lawyer ready to sue the guys who are going to write you a ticket or book you.

Seriously? I just said eariler that an on-the-water occurence is probably a slim chance. I actually made the point that there are numerous occurrences of CHL holders defending themselves, and I thought my implication was clear that I meant off the water. I was trying to make a point in contradiction to your statement that it wasn't necessary because you hadn't ever had a need for it before, whereas most CHL holders haven't ever needed it but many times annually, folks defend themselves by making use of their CHL. Maybe your frustration with my post was just an issue of my poor communication skills via internet forums.

That being said, I already said that I always worry about having $20k+ worth of boat and truck at the ramp, by myself, in the dark, standing outside for 10 minutes before and after a trip. And I just don't want to leave my pistol in the truck while I'm fishing.

All that being said, I'd still rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

First if your so worried about Falcon that you carry a gun into Mexico then just dont go. Second there has been more violence on fishermen on Fork in the past than ever on Falcon. Just go fishin.

Just a shotgun when hunting waterfowl, no handgun.

+1


I know you won't get a ticket for having a shotgun on Corp lakes. Duck hunted many Army Corp waters.

Not me. I only fish private lakes so I don't need one. I do have a CHL though and I do carry elsewhere.