§2277 — Title 18 Crimes and Criminal Procedure | U.S. Code

Summary

It is illegal to bring, carry, or have dangerous weapons or explosives (like dynamite or nitroglycerin) on certain U.S. ships without permission. This covers ships registered under U.S. law, ships taken or used by the United States, and ships in U.S. custody. You must get the shipowner’s or master’s permission, or the captain of the port’s permission for vessels under U.S. control. Violators can be fined, jailed for up to one year, or both. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and government officers or employees of the United States, a state, or local government are allowed to have these items while doing their official duties if the law or official rules permit it.

Title 18, §2277

Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Whoever brings, carries, or possesses any dangerous weapon, instrument, or device, or any dynamite, nitroglycerin, or other explosive article or compound on board of any vessel documented under the laws of the United States, or any vessel purchased, requisitioned, chartered, or taken over by the United States pursuant to the provisions of Act June 6, 1941, ch. 174, 55 Stat. 242, as amended, without previously obtaining the permission of the owner or the master of such vessel; orWhoever brings, carries, or possesses any such weapon or explosive on board of any vessel in the possession and under the control of the United States or which has been seized and forfeited by the United States or upon which a guard has been placed by the United States pursuant to the provisions of section 191 11 See References in Text note below. of Title 50, without previously obtaining the permission of the captain of the port in which such vessel is located, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

(b)This section shall not apply to the personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States or to officers or employees of the United States or of a State or of a political subdivision thereof, while acting in the performance of their duties, who are authorized by law or by rules or regulations to own or possess any such weapon or explosive.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§ 503, 504 (Dec. 31, 1941, ch. 642, §§ 1, 2, 55 Stat. 876). Section consolidates section 503 and 504 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed. Words “This section” were substituted in subsection (b) for the words “The provisions of section 503, 504 of this title”. Minor changes were made in phraseology.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Act

June 6, 1941, ch. 174, 55 Stat. 242, referred to in subsec. (a), expired

July 1, 1953. Section 191 of Title 50, referred to in subsec. (a), was redesignated and transferred to section 70051 of Title 46, Shipping, by Pub. L. 115–282, title IV, § 407(b)(1), (5), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4267.

Amendments

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–304 substituted “documented” for “registered, enrolled, or licensed”. 1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $1,000” in second par.

§2277 Explosives or dangerous weapons aboard vessels