---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 U.S.C. § 523"
title: "14"
title_heading: "Coast Guard"
number: "523"
heading: "Enforcement authority"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/14/523"
units:
  - "Subtitle I — Establishment, Powers, Duties, and Administration"
  - "Chapter 5 — Functions and Powers"
  - "Subchapter II — Life Saving and Law Enforcement Authorities"
---

# §523. Enforcement authority


Subject to guidelines approved by the Secretary, members of the Coast Guard, in the performance of official duties, may—

- (1) carry a firearm; and
- (2) while at a facility (as defined in [section 70101 of title 46](/usc/46/70101.md))—
  - (A) make an arrest without warrant for any offense against the United States committed in their presence; and
  - (B) seize property as otherwise provided by law.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 111–281, title II, § 208(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2912, § 99; renumbered § 523, Pub. L. 115–282, title I, § 105(b), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4200.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–282 renumbered section 99 of this title as this section.