U.S. Embassy UPDATES Travel Advisory, Warning against taking Guns & Ammo to TCI

By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

#TurksandCaicos, September 4, 2023 – After judges and attorneys in the Turks and Caicos vocalized their concern over the number of American tourists arrested for breach of firearms laws, there comes a notable change in the Travel Advice from the US Embassy, based in Nassau, Bahamas.

Too many arrests and too many convictions of American visitors to Turks and Caicos over guns and ammunition, including a man, who was this week sentenced to 8 months in prison, have resulted in a sensible notice.

“To avoid U.S. citizens facing arrest in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) for bringing firearms, ammunition, or other weapons into the country, U.S. Embassy Nassau updated the TCI Travel.State.Gov page to reflect the criminal penalties attached to traveling unlawfully with such weapons,” said a media release issued on Friday September 22.

The advice is clearly warning US citizens not to take their guns and ammo into the TCI, where unless you are licensed by local law enforcement, it is illegal with a mandatory jail term of 12 years.

In late March, David O’Connor was found with 44 rounds of ammunition while exiting the Turks and Caicos Islands.  In May, O’Connor was sentenced and fined between five to six thousand dollars.

Alec Nash, who was arrested over a firearm in his luggage in July was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine after pleading guilty to having an illegal firearm.

Most recently, the defendant was not so fortunate and in this case was sentenced to time in Grand Turk Prison.  Michael Grim was arrested in early August, caught at the airport exiting with 20 rounds of ammunition.  He was on Monday September 19, sentenced to eight months in prison with his parents looking on in the courtroom.

It is expected further action would come in defence of Grim; possibly an appeal.

Now, the United States, which is partnered with the Caribbean islands in efforts to curb firearms movement into the countries has outlined, what travellers to the TCI need to keep in mind, even if they are legal gun owners in the United States.

“… that declaring a weapon in your luggage with an airline carrier does not grant permission to bring the weapon into TCI and will result in arrest.”

A tab on the Travel.Gov.State website is also newly created to support giving accurate information to travellers to the TCI.

Interestingly, the U.S. Embassy also warns that if travellers disregard the advice and are arrested in the Turks and Caicos on firearms offences, they will not be able to get them out of trouble.

“If a U.S. citizen illegally brings a firearm or ammunition into TCI, U.S. Embassy Nassau will not be able to secure their release from custody.  The website reminds U.S. citizens that all foreign nationals are subject to TCI laws and must follow local law enforcement procedures.

However, if you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately.”