A 30-year old American has been arrested after two bullets were found in his backpack prior to boarding a cruise in Turks & Caicos. He now faces 12 years in prison. The Virginia resident is a father of an 18-month old child and says he didn’t realize the bullets were there.
Another American tourist has been arrested in Turks and Caicos after ammunition was found in his luggage. The 30-year-old Virginia man is one of at least four American tourists potentially facing a lengthy prison sentence under a strict new island law. pic.twitter.com/Dy1z20YAIb
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) April 26, 2024
Didn’t we just hear this story? Why yes, we did. Those were other tourists who’d done the same thing in Turks & Caicos. In that case, an American says he even checked his bag prior to travel and made a mistake not to catch the four rounds of hunting ammunition in his bag. Another American is awaiting trial over ammunition found in his checked bag.
The problem stems from a change in Turks & Caicos law based on a new court ruling in February, and from TSA’s persistent failure to catch bullets going through security checkpoints at U.S. airports.
A dream vacation turns into a nightmare for one family. Ryan Watson is now facing the potential of up to a 12 year mandatory prison sentence in Turks and Caicos over 4 rounds of hunting ammo and he’s not alone. Via @CBSEveningNews: pic.twitter.com/A4pRMOkrYQ
— Kris Van Cleave (@krisvancleave) April 24, 2024
The sentences are harsh. Historically tourists could pay a fine – until a court decision just handed down in February that didn’t get much coverage beyond the islands. The U.S. has pressured countries over their laws before. Famously, the U.S. has pressured Singapore over chewing gum.
There’s a bit of a cultural divide in reaction to these cases. If you’re anti-gun, you probably feel like the tourists are getting their comeuppance. You have to know the laws wherever you go. Not everywhere is like the United States. And who is going to be so stupid as to bring ammunition into a foreign country?
Grace Bay Beach, Turks & Caicos
If you’re pro-gun your reaction is different. These people made an honest mistake, didn’t mean to hurt anyone, and it’s a bad look for a country hugely dependent on tourism. To them, they see draconian reactions as a signal that the destination is risky for Americans to visit, while to those opposed to guns, they see no risk to themselves in gun laws.
Providenciales International Airport
What I see in this is repeated failures by TSA. They keep letting ammunition past security checkpoints. These tourists are boarding planes at U.S. airports, bringing the ammunition past the watchful eyes of the TSA. We’re spending over $10 billion annually on the agency, surrendering rights, identifying ourselves and taking off our shoes and in exchange we don’t even get security from ammunition inside of airports and on planes.
TSA Queue
Former American Airlines CEO Doug Parker, who calls himself instrumental in creating the TSA, should learn a lesson from that.
And it’s important to know that laws abroad – often not enforced against tourists – sometimes can be. And things that you assume are fine at home may not be at your destination. Did you know that bringing vaping products into Australia is now illegal even with an Australian prescription? Your medicines may not be allowable. Your speech may not be ok, too. Don’t speak ill of the king in Thailand, or lament the loss of liberties in Hong Kong while visiting there.
Ah, the good ole “personal responsibility” crowd!
Ya just know they’re the type ilk that’d call for the death penalty if any “foreigners” broke even a simple Oklahoma Law.
Irresponsible gun owner.
What garbage. Pro gun or not it is the responsibility of travelers to know the laws of countries. Stop making this about pro or con guns. You are the problem babying the irresposible. If Americans are irresponsible about carrying weapons maybe they shouldn’t carry them.
Yeah, that’s just a shame.
Imagine beig so heavily armed that you can’t keep track of your ammo.
Yep, a shame.
Careless gun owner. Does he not have a range bag or, worse, did he use his range bag as a carry-on?
Using a range bag for a carryon could cause issues if the airport is using sniffers.
Gary is spot on about the $10 billion annually TSA not doing their jobs, another example of the exemplary government run agencies here in these United States.
“After TSA Failed To Catch Ammo At Airport?”
Isn’t this the travelers responsibility?
Play with fire, you get burned.
The important part of the story isn’t the stupid Americans bringing ammo somewhere that it’s illegal, though the sentence is harsh and it’s unfortunate for Turks that the court overturned the ability for the government to just fine tourists in this scenario – because it’ll scare away some tourists.
The important part of the story is that TSA is letting ammo through checkpoints every single day. We’re just learning about it because occasionally another government catches it, and it’s becoming news because of the recent policy change in a small Caribbean country with limited travelers.
But this repeats itself across airports and destinations every single day.
Because every hunter I know packs for his trip to the deer stand and uses a suitcase (rolls eyes) who puts ammo in a suitcase? When is there ever a situation where a gun owner uses a suitcase for ammo??
@BookGirl305 – one was in a suitcase, another in their backpack
Gary, that is your important part. Many of us find you sticking up for irresponsible gun owners that travel as the important part. Any more “mansplaining” you want to try?
Yeah, kinda missing or ignoring Gary’s key point here. Let’s ignore gun laws for a moment — how is it that TSA is missing they very sort of thing that they’re supposed to be catching?
While this is unfortunate for the hapless fellow, it should be well-publicized that doing stupid things in the US, like carrying around bullets and/or vaping/smoking whatever, are likely illegal in other countries. Being a moron is not a defense. I bet he learns a lesson from this. Too bad other irresponsible gun owners won’t though, and there will be other idiots that get thrown in prison for stupid stuff like this.
Good I am delighted he is being jailed. Anybody this stupid and irresponsible should not be allowed to have a firearm and deserves what they get.
Too bad TSA didn’t catch him but we can thank T&C for doing the job properly.
I am not a gun advocate, however this is harsh. Give them a huge fine and let them go home. Let the U.S. issue a warning and let Tourist begin canceling reservations and see how quickly the rules change. According to a quick search tourism accounts for 65% of the GDP there.
He will do his time and then get out. I’m sure if he is rich enough to go to Caribbean islands, he is rich enough to own multiple bags so he can use one that he didn’t put ammunition in. Stupid and irresponsibility are a bad combination. Maybe with regime change he can be traded for an arms dealer in prison.
How did TSA become responsible for what passengers pack in a bag? Also, knowing the rules of a country has always been the responsibility of the traveler, not airlines or cruise personnel, because of the incredible penalties that can happen.
Nothing is 100% foolproof. Expecting TSA or any system to be 100% is unrealistic. However, I do recall reading that TSA fail rate was 70%, which is atrocious, if true. At the same time, I hate the idea of blaming the incompetence of others for one’s own mistake.
Typical. Leftists like these commenters want to throw the book at any minor offense, if the person is a “deplorable”. However, things like hate speech and violent threats against Jews, assault, defacing property, trespassing, blocking roads, etc etc, oh no problem, we need to let that slide because they are on our side. The left has completely politicized the justice system.
You don’t think there will be consequences? Because you’re wrong. Dangerous times we live in. Just remember, when the SHTF, you started it.
In the USA, as long as TSA does their absolute best to stop the GUNS, the the ammo is not a big deal.
There is about 250M adults in the USA.
There are just shy of 400 million privately owned firearms.
So far I haven’t heard of a shootout over slow deplaning, so they are doing a good job.
Maybe they can throw a handful of bullets?
(TSA is increasing their tech & traing to catch 3D printed handguns.)
jns–Cruising or flying to the Caribbean can be quite cheap, and anyway the T&C is technically not even in that sea. But Gary, please don’t tell me what I think. I’m seriously anti-gun and yet believe that this was a horrible miscarriage. Hopefully if the State Department intervenes the guy will get off with a fine and a warning. But still, something like this is symptomatic of how many firearms are floating around America and how careless some people are. After all, they are the leading cause of death among children and the most lethal form of suicide. As for the TSA–an airline captain explained the game to me. When a bullet or shell is found the Agency trumpets that it has stopped an “explosive device.” When it is not, they keep quiet.
The problem is that U.S. laws are ridiculously lax about guns and ammunition being brought onto planes. Forgot that you have your loaded Glock in your carryon in ATL? No problem, honest mistake, right? Try that in pretty much any other country and you’re looking at prison time. The solution is plenty simple: If someone in the USA is caught trying to bring a weapon or ammunition on a plane then they get 30 days in jail – minimum and without other options – , 10 years on the no-fly list, a lifetime of SSSS after the 10 year ban, and a penalty equal to 10% of their prior year’s income. All of a sudden people would remember that they’re carrying something illegal. Why do you think stuff like this doesn’t happen in Peru or Israel?
In 2023 TSA found over 6700 firearms. Did they miss some? Absolutely. But as a gun owner, I know I’m the one responsible and not the TSA to find my weapons and ammo. I don’t mix travel and range bags, but I check my travel bags several times to make sure I don’t have any prohibited items. I challenge anyone to do their job 40 hours a week and never miss anything. It’s got to be boring.
Anyone traveling outside the US should be especially aware that most other countries have much stricter gun laws than the US. Same with drugs. Don’t accidentally bring them to another country.
A firearm I could understand, or an amount of ammo that could be considered for resell. As someone who has traveled and hunted in other countries it would be easy to lose a couple of rounds in your luggage. But the best thing to do is either avoid these countries with archaic laws or make absolutely sure you are clear. The problem with countries like this are there are probably other laws that could land you in prison that would be considered minor in most places.
Ironic, considering that THC products are still federally illegal and we traded the most dangerous arms dealer in the world for someone who knowingly brought THC into Russia.
Those who don’t like guns think this is wonderful and “break the law do the time”. Just wait until a family member gets caught with a prescription legally obtained in the USA and thrown in jail.
As lond as the laws are applied equal to everyone I don’t see a reason why any nationality should get preferencial treatment.
As with any medication etc. you need to check the foreign laws (i.e. Japan has some weird restrictions). That is just part of travel.
This is NOT political this is “no one is above the law”
Mandatory 12 years in prison for accidentally leaving a couple bullets in luggage.
This isn’t justice, and it’s obscene. Regardless of your gun control views.
“If you’re pro-gun your reaction is different.”
No doubt who YOU voted for. You’re as ridiculous as the idiot you helped install in 2020.
A responsible gun owner doesn’t misplace ammo.
Gary – it is not unsafe abroad. How about understanding country’s laws and making sure you adhere to them. The problem is the travelers not Turks.
I was recently in Singapore. You may not agree with death penalty for drug dealers, 7 years for first offense shoplifting or caning for many property crimes but those are their laws. Understand that and plan accordingly. Zero sympathy for these idiots that had bullets in their luggage
I’m a gun owner. It is my right to own a gun, and it is my responsibility to know where my weapon and ammo is, at all times. End of story.
The sad truth about misinformation headlines: the Turks and Caicos are SAFER than the USA: 5.7 intentional homicide victims per 100,000 inhabitants vs. 6.4 in the US. And they’re doing something about lowering it.
Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Hey boss,
You have some comments on here that seem to be generated by AI, to continue to divide us.
Mantis and DA Pillet especially.
I love the articles, but when you do allow people (or bots) to post anything, watch out.
Jon
Ps- anyone real reading this, my real name is Jon Biedermann, I’ve posted at least 30+ times here, look me up on LinkedIn, would love to connect.
Democrat and gun owner here. Responsibility is on this traveler. If you’re so lax you don’t know where your ammunition is, it’s time to review your ownership. Also many boat captains need to rethink traveling to T&C. Many destinations allow declared weapons and ammunition. T&C does not.
I am about as pro-gun as they come, and I generally consider TSA to be a joke, but in all honesty, I’m not blaming them for this man’s misfortune.
Should they have discovered the two rounds of ammunition (N.b. to @Gary, I’m assuming that’s what they were, not the “bullets” i.e., unloaded projectiles that you refer to.)? Yes, but in their general incompetence, they didn’t.
I know that as citizens of Rome we all believe that foreign domains should accept that we are somewhat above their petty legal interpretations, but we’re not. It behooves everyone to understand the laws of a country they are visiting, so this man is enjoying a problem of his own making.
Do I think 12 years for two rounds is unreasonable and draconian? Absolutely, but the traveler had the responsibility of knowing the law before he traveled.
Unsafe Abroad, screams the headline here.
More likely Unsafe at Home (if you’re an American).
Where was today’s mass/semi-mass shooting?
Who carries bullets, intentionally or not, in a backpack? Crazy.
The size of a bullet is 1.09 inches in a 26 inch piece of luggage This is 3.84% of the length of the luggage. On a 22″ diameter monitor that is 16×9 that is .608 of an inch.
Are the bullets actually in the middle of the luggage or along the wall of the luggage and appear as part of the metal of the wall. This is not a big gun or a machete knife
Americans and their idiotic, destructive love affair with guns, gown ownership, and the need to own them. It’s the most important thing to them next to money and sex.
“Awaiting moderation alert” .
The Donald will pardon them .
No way he serves anywhere close to 12 years on this.
They might sentence him to it, but sit back and watch how this plays out. One way or another he’s going to be back home in a fraction of that, and that’s a good thing.
I agree with Gary in that we should all undergo MORE stringent and arduous security checks to make sure that nobody is carrying a few harmless loose rounds.
Yeah, TSA should have caught it but they didn’t. So what. Would you prefer them to start inspecting bags for liquids that just bay or may not contain 3.5 ounces or more, it’s been my experience that they’re pretty lax on that within reason in the Precheck lanes.
I read that JSX lets passengers carry whole backpacks full of ammo onto their plans. Dougie is all over it. Showing the same greatness he did as CEO.
How do we know the negligent gun owners didn’t bring the bullets in their checked bags?
Straight to jail
Gary trying his hardest to parrot his Maga talk lines again.
This is on the traveler, 100%. Less concerned about the TSA missing bullets, as long as they catch the guns.
Hopefully this will teach gun owners more responsibility at home as well as abroad.
1. TSA is run by morons and can’t stop anything.
2. Check your own shit before you go on a trip.
I’ve never come close to taking my guns or any ammo or any coke in my luggage. Not a dipshit.
been all over the world multiple times. Don’t own a gun or ammunition. Never been to Turks & Caicos…though I once considered it for scuba diving.
Not going there ever…ridiculous law.
Yeah…if TSA misses a few bullets…whoop-e-doo…real world results show them doing their job.
Careless packing by the persons involved as well…did they really check their bags? Obviously not that thoroughly. But given that, a 12 year mandatory sentence for a few bullets…no.
Levy a large fine ($1,000-$2,000 a bullet? $5,000 / bullet + admin costs if you want to be “tough”)…and be done with it. Now, if someone brings a few loaded magazines…sure…throw the book at them. That’s obvious.
Too many chicken eaters over there. Or just not thinking through a law. I’m sure they had good intentions..but probably mask-brain.
My relatives go to PLS pretty routinely and have a good time at the Aman down there; and this kind of thing won’t really change a thing even as going hunting and target practice using guns on the private lands of family and friends is nothing new to us.
Strict criminal liability for ammo possession (and some other stuff too) is not unique to T&C. Cross-border travelers should check their own bags carefully — even newly store-bought ones — by examining the bag’s every pocket, corner and crevice (including things behind the linings and where parts come together) before using them. And also do the same between flights.
You can’t count on the TSA to save you, whether leaving the country, returning to it or otherwise by stopping bullets or whatever else. So protect yourself if you’re extremely risk averse and worried about ending up on the wrong side of the law.
#1: Privatize TSA. SFO airport has private security, not TSA, and they are excellent.
The only “security” TSA cares about is job security.
LadyOlives,
A segment of men in Sweden, Germany and Finland and elsewhere in “safe” Europe are big into guns. Hunting trips are a rather popular way to build or maintain social networks in these parts. It is even a way to get cheap animal protein to eat instead of running up the carbon footprint and expenses from eating grocery store-bought meat.
“How did TSA become responsible for what passengers pack in a bag?”
Um, when the government passed legislation giving them the authority. Where have you been for the past two decades?