BELLEVUE, WA – To all U.S. gun homeowners Do Not Journey to the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Abroad Territory positioned southeast of the Bahamas, and when you have already made plans, rethink your vacation spot.
SUMMARY: Since November 2022, a minimum of eight American vacationers have confronted “firearms prosecutions” for inadvertently having ammunition of their baggage. Previously, vacationers had been in a position to pay a superb, however as of a choose’s ruling in February of this 12 months, violators are topic to extreme jail time.
Firearms and ammunition are strictly forbidden in Turks and Caicos. The U.S. Embassy within the Bahamas final September issued this warning to vacationers: “Firearms, ammunition, and different weapons usually are not permitted within the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). TCI authorities strictly implement all firearms associated legal guidelines. The penalty for touring to TCI with a firearm, ammunition, or different weapon is a minimal custodial sentence of twelve (12) years.”
The advisory additionally acknowledged, “We want to remind all vacationers that declaring a weapon in your baggage with an airline provider doesn’t grant permission to convey the weapon into TCI and can lead to your arrest.
“We strongly encourage you to fastidiously examine your baggage for stray ammunition or forgotten weapons earlier than departing for TCI. Should you convey a firearm or ammunition into TCI, we won’t be able to safe your launch from custody. You’re topic to TCI legal guidelines and should comply with native regulation enforcement procedures.”
