To all U.S. gun owners, Do Not Travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory located southeast of the Bahamas. If you have already made plans, reconsider your destination.
SUMMARY: Since November 2022, at least eight American tourists have faced “firearms prosecutions” for inadvertently having ammunition in their luggage. In the past, tourists had been able to pay a fine, but as of a judge’s ruling in February of this year, violators are subject to severe prison time.
Firearms and ammunition are strictly forbidden in Turks and Caicos. The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas last September issued this warning to travelers:
“Firearms, ammunition, and other weapons are not permitted in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). TCI authorities strictly enforce all firearms related laws. The penalty for traveling to TCI with a firearm, ammunition, or other weapon is a minimum custodial sentence of twelve (12) years.”
The advisory also stated, “We wish to remind all travelers 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 your arrest.
“We strongly encourage you to carefully check your luggage for stray ammunition or forgotten weapons before departing for TCI. If you bring a firearm or ammunition into TCI, we will not be able to secure your release from custody. You are subject to TCI laws and must follow local law enforcement procedures.”
The Second Amendment Foundation
The Second Amendment Foundation (saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing, and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 720,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.
Another third world sh*thole heard from. They don’t need my business anyway.
Why would anyone want to visit that toilet, anyway?
Just recently a frequent poster here was talking about sailing the Caribbean after retirement. Perhaps this might persuade them to go a different direction.
I read there’s still pirates doing what pirates do down there, they found a family killed and their boat stolen just recently. I don’t think there’s anything or anyplace I would want to see or travel to that restricts my ability for personal defense, nope.
all the time, sir. dead men tell no tales. and the ship… it just sails on and gets sold elsewhere.
BigfootBob, exactly! Over fifteen years ago, one of my supervisors got married and he and his bride took a cruise. When he returned, he was telling us about how wonderful and how much fun the cruise was, recommending we consider one for a future vacation. I questioned him about screening procedures and upon learning that you went through a TSA-style search of yourself and your belongings before boarding, said I would pass on such a venture. He laughed and said that I would be on vacation and out of my jurisdiction and would not need a gun. I countered that… Read more »
You might have convinced your supervisor had you referred to “hijackers” instead of pirates.
Either way, you’d be screened before boarding the vessel. My wife and I took a Holland-America cruise, eleven years ago, and were subjected to the same kind of entry as at airliners. This is life now; no getting away from it.
Hijacking and piracy are two different things. Hijacking is taking over a vessel with a purpose of routing it to a different destination. Piracy is a form of robbery. Unless the pirates/hijackers are taking over the bridge and holding all cruisers as hostages, piracy is a more accurate term. Pirates don’t want the boat. They want the money and anything that can be turned into cash.
Don’t have it handy, but there is a book out, “Pirates Aboard”, which talks about piracy worldwide, and the results. Both armed and unarmed cases are covered. Makes you rethink sailing away to “paradise”. Book’s author is Krause Hympendahl…good read.
I wouldn’t travel to these Caribbean places anyway, but always keep in mind, whenever you travel, especially by airlines, do not so much as bring a small pocketknife or nail clipper, much less guns and ammo.
These countries thrive on unsuspecting tourists making mistakes on gambling, hotel and nightspot inibriating and general ignorance.
Exactly. I guarantee if they do catch you with anything, there’s a price to pay for ‘justice’ lol
IMOA, if you’re going to travel outside of CONUS, take the time to double and triple check your luggage for firearms related items.
Why would anyone want to go to this blend of s-hole and tourist trap?
State Dept. should request a fine and no jail time, he is not an arms trafficer.
We know State will not lift a finger for him.
Too bad he wasn’t a sexually ambiguous freak, covered in tattoos, who can bounce a basketball. The powers of our GovCo would even go up against Russia for him, then.
It is entirely safe to travel to the Turks and Caicos. Just don’t be stupid enough to take firearms or ammo with you. This is another example of why you need a dedicated bag/case for your hunting/range accoutrements.
Not so much anymore. They are being overrun by Haitian Illegals.
HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good place for them!
Haiti/Dominican Republic is the quintessential example of the ravages of communism versus a Republic. Here’s a link to an article from the border area in that shithole island paradise. I wouldn’t go there if you gave me a million dollars.
https://www.latinousa.org/2017/10/12/dominican-haitian-border-in-pictures/
Before you travel outside of the USA, check the CIA for travel advisories.
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
To find out where they’re doing business
So because we have a castrated 2nd amendment we are to ignore other countries laws??
Turks and Caicos Islands are a tourist trap, but that do not release you from your responsibilities as a traveler. You are responsible for your actions when visiting other countries. Don’t use your range bag to travel overseas or even to other states. Is it a harsh punishment??? Yes it is. But the individual in question made a mistake and it’s paying the consequences. The State Department should be dealing with the problem. Be a responsible gun owner and a smart respectful tourist.
The Caribbean is full of corrupt systems. Even if the political side issues permits their police will refuse to honor them.
Why not just ask a few questions about their laws, then comply? It’s a foreign country with their own laws.
Apparently, he went before the judge May 3rd and has to wait 3 weeks for sentencing.
Money talks and all else walks. This is a great tactic. Get the word out and boycott. Personally I’d never go there,but if there is the perception that money can be lost these places might get a little more agreeable over simple mistakes.
What you should know before visiting TCI aka a foreign country… know their laws concerning firearms and ammunition. Most importantly, don’t forget to have a good vacation.
Soon to be coming to certain ‘blue’ states here in the good ol’ USA.. Guaranteed.
12 years? Screw them. No more trade, no more tourists allowed to their country and none of their people allowed in ours. The lack of dollars will change their minds in a hurry.
You know what? Here’s an organization that promotes and advocates for gun rights, gun safety, and the responsible use of firearms by responsible legal firearms owners, and here they are advocating for a guy who is obviously an irresponsible firearm owner who flew to another country and violated their law. You don’t like the law? Too bad. All too often SAF argues for the gun laws on the US books be enforced rather than continuously the going after law abiding INNOCENT gun owners with ban, new laws and restrictions. Well, I’ve got news for you SAF, this guy broke a… Read more »
Well said!!
Yeah, well, those types of laws will be here in our country soon enough, and there’s not a damn thing you or I can do about it other than not visit those states. SAD!