On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 23:33:37 GMT, "dixon"
wrote:

A flare gun works just about as good at close range, and is more than legal
on a boat!
Dixon

Speaking of flare guns, I heard that if you're boarded by Canadian
Customs, or maybe it's the CG in Canadian waters, your flare gun is
considered a firearm and you have to declare it as such when they ask.
I was advised that it's best to just leave it at the dock if you plan
on going into Canadian waters.

That said, I don't think having a loaded gun in the cabin where you
sleep in any more morally (legally you need a CCW on the boat of
course) wrong than in the nightstand next to your bed. Same
precautions apply, obviously.