Gents and Ladies; Good evening. I know this isn't the appropriate venue to ask for international legal advice , but I thought someone here might have some experience, or at least share my concerns. I understand travle restrictions and whats allowed in carry on vs. checked. In the US as far as I know, your hotel room is considered like your home as far as weapons and suivival equipment are concerned. So long as you dont take your golok out on the street, your good to go( over simplification I know , but thats the gist of it to my understanding). My question is I'm going to the Bahamas for vacation, and I have no clue what I can carry,what I can have in the hotel room ect. I already feel naked, but as I'm traveling with my family which makes it worse because if its just me thats one thing, but now I have the rest of my family to take care of a long way from home. I also don't want to end up arrested in a foreign jail do to ignorance as to their laws. I"ve looked at several sites but without success. I hate to have to intrust the safety of my family to others. Seems every time we relinquish this responsibillity, we get...less then favorable outcomes. Help? Thanks for your time and kind considerations. Jim

You might run your eye over some of the info at http://www.bermuda-online.org/legal.htm
Quote: "Very protectionist to Bermudians-only in many ways, for example in home ownership, immigration, work permit, Human Rights and other laws. Non-Bermudians are not allowed to do things here that they can, without restrictions, in other countries."

Elsewhere on the same site:
"Also illegal: Offensive and defensive weapons of any kind, like real or fake or toy firearms (guns) of any type and ammunition; any kind of weapon to deter thieves or intruders; catapults (slingshots); BB guns; cutlasses; crossbows; mace in canisters; pornographic material; throwing knives; flick knives; martial arts weaponry; nightsticks; nunchakus; spiked wristbands; swords; spear guns, all pistols, all rifles, all ammunition for them, signal guns, all other weapons and all live marine animals (including lobsters) by any private individuals. Some visitors and businesspeople apparently think it is permitted to bring firearms into Bermuda. It is not, not under any circumstances. The weapons will be seized permanently by the Bermuda Police Service and those convicted will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, publicized and reported to Federal or provincial or state authorities for illegally carrying firearms on ships or aircraft."

Bermuda is considered British, but it isn't ruled by Britain, and British legislation does NOT apply.

sue

In some countries, you would be wrong about your hotel being an extension of your home. Several countries come to mind where search and siezure laws are nearly non-existant. And in many countries, weapons are very controlled. Sue has good advice there. I would also contact 1) Your Lawyer and 2) Your Travel Agent. In that order.

If you are going to a country wear a firearm is legal, you will want to contact the airport security as well as the local sheriff (or equivalent constable, etc.) of your destination(s). I, for one, wouldn't enter another country with a firearm without a reason. Maybe Police or Military would be able to do so, but even then, the local police probably don't appreciate it and won't bend over backwards. If hunting, make sure you have your permits and are clear on any self-defense laws.

You can still help protect your family. There are ways to not be singled out by criminals.
1) Don't flash cash or jewels or valuable equipment.
2) Blend in with the locals as much as is feasible. Learn some of the language too...
3) Walk with confidence.
4) Never let your guard down.
5) Stay in populated areas with plenty of patrols.
6) Stick together as a group (don't let the wife wander off shopping).
7) Carry your cash and I.D. in a neck vault. Keep a little cash and fake/disposable wallet in your pocket in case you are mugged.
8) Swap personal and irreplaceable items like wedding rings and that $4000 Breitling with fakes for the duration.
9) Keep your eyes open for local crafts and gifts that can be converted to a weapon in a hurry, and carried without notice.
10) If going into the back country, hire a reputable guide (via travel agent or hotel concierge). Same rules apply - tell the hotel and park service where you are going, and when you are coming back. Also inform family and friends overseas and give them local emergency contact numbers should you fail to followup within a set time limit.

Forget about foreign countries.. There are city ordinances where you need to abide to.. The one that comes to mind is NYC. You need to possess a NYC handgun permit to possess a handgun. Once you get off the plane in JFK, or LGA, you may be asked for your NYC Handgun Permit (even if you are not a resident of NYC). If you cannot produce the permit, you will be arrested.

Personally, I may be showing my bias here, but the last person I would go to for real advice would be a lawyer. Lawyers are only good for dotting the i's and crossing the t's and will never give you useful information. They will only give you advice to the furthest extreme "don't bring anything that in the least way could be construed as a weapon". Same with a travel agent (better be safe than sorry type of answer); you would be better off contacting the jurisdiction in question - directly by email / telephone or indirectly through some website.

Hehe... I agree! I would always contact the locals (and said as much). But asking for legal advice means that if you answer you should alwasy say IANAL or "call your lawyer" just as a CYA. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

And I've seen good lawyers and bad. If your lawyer is giving you crap advice, he's a crap lawyer and you shouldn't be paying. If he's giving you non-advice such as "don't bring anything...", ask him to get in touch with a local lawyer/firm and find out. I just want to reiterate that the comment was for him bringing a Glock with him to a hotel room in a foreign country. Maybe there was more to it, but primarily, if I were in his position, I would surely contact my lawyer and travel agent to get their input.

One thing's for sure, you're bound to get as many answers as people you ask. I've asked local cops about carry laws and I haven't pegged a single one to identical statements. If you call a constable in another country and ask him about what's legal, and he's not on duty when you show up to town.... you just might have a surprise when you get there. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You should probably contact your American Bureau of Consular Affairs:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1067.html

Sue

Greatings all; Thanks very much for the advice. I understand some of you may have felt uncomfortable posting and I appreciate your candor. I was so beside my self trying to figure this out that I posted the wrong country <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. We went to the Bahamas. In short, glad to be home. I don't want to offend anyone, so I'll leave it at that. Re Guns, I wouldn't even consider bringing a gun to a foreign country. I was speaking of knives for personal defence and "normal" survival equipment. I appologise for the confusion and thanks again for your assistance, Respectfully; Jim

In your message you use the subject as Re: Bermuda, then in the text you said that you are going to the Bahamas. Which one is the one?. Both are different countries. I was in Bermuda for a 4 day work-vacation time. I found Bermuda very nice, very civilized and safe. Land is very expensive and so is everything else. The only source of water is rain water, which people store in tanks in the basement. When it doesn't rain, people have to buy water from suppliers (from desalilnization plants? imported?). The only thing you need there is plenty of money, your swimming trunks and and a lot of common sense.
I was in the Bahamas only for a day in a cruise. It is beautiful too but I only saw the tourist part. I like Bermuda better. Good luck and enjoy your vacation without any weapons.