At least 4 Americans facing prison in Turks and Caicos over ammo in luggage

This week an Oklahoma father of two became the latest American tourist to be detained under a new firearm law in the Caribbean territory of Turks and Caicos. The arrest comes as a Virginia man faces up to 12 years in prison after airport security allegedly found ammunition in his carry-on bag earlier this month. CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave has more.
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[@porqme]

Realizing that the rest of the world doesn't share your enthusiasm for guns:

[@jamesjazzy8040]

Damn right...guns are for fools.

[@devildoll9929]

Too many Americans are accustomed to treating the residents of Mexico and the Caribbean as little more than hired servants. It comes as a shock to them when they learn that their host countries have their own laws that Americans must obey.

[@charlessmith263]

A CLASS B FELONY TO BRING AMMO INTO TURKS? That is very serious! Before this new gun law, bringing guns and ammo there was something like a Class D Misdemeanor equivalent in the United States with no prison time! But 12 YEARS IN PRISON IS VERY VERY SERIOUS!!!

[@davemathews7890]

If I get caught with meth in my car, I can't escape prosecution because I left it there "unintentionally."

[@playbookofeli66]

Your comparing apples and bowling balls.

[@davemathews7890]

@@playbookofeli66 "You're"

[@georgezipp8783]

Just like Griner , she was treated like a hero after our Government set free a merchant of death .

[@grmmjhnsn2]

Am I the only one who things traveling internationally with weapons or associated paraphernalia is just plain stupid?

[@rooster1012]

Irresponsible gun owners clear and simple, these are the people that should not even have the right to own a firearm.

[@michaelwells7348]

What is the obsession with gun.... Big guns ....small gun syndrome

[@LoveableLincoln32]

@@michaelwells7348that’s plainly stupid! 😂😂

[@DefinitelyNotAFerret]

Thinking is no longer “cool”

[@lovely31bluprint]

Another Brittany Renner

[@tommyudo3195]

If this Oklahoma father of two is irresponsible enough to leave ammo in his luggage before traveling abroad, you've got to wonder how responsible he is about stowing his ammunition in a safe place at home away from his children.

[@georgezipp8783]

I wonder what you wrote when Griner was imprisoned ? Then our Government set free a merchant of death to get her back .

[@tommyudo3195]

@@georgezipp8783 Yeah, you gun nuts know all about that merchant of death thing.

[@georgezipp8783]

@@tommyudo3195 Well lets stay on point here . What I wrote was 100 % the truth . Why do you assume I'm a gun nut ? Stop spinning , the so-called news does enough of that .

[@tommyudo3195]

@@georgezipp8783 It's a fair bet.

[@user-tu1ee6dc5f]

Attention to detail. Who has ammo any where near their luggage much less loose rounds. How did they even leave the states?

[@m3talHalide-rt2fz]

this. they all went through tsa and flew to TC

[@WarHawk-]

@@m3talHalide-rt2fz - Sure, they went through TSA, but TSA should not have to hold a travelers hand, as if they were 'mommy', when it comes to personal responsibility. Every one of those travelers are suppose to be grown adults!

[@tinotsutchie]

​@WarHawk- I hear you, but the whole inception of TSA is to prevent passengers from getting on american flights with weapons. If they couldn't detect ammo in a guy's bag, how effective are they being?

[@yelleryoung5870]

Americans need to learn to respect the laws of other countries. He is lucky it was not the Bahamas; he would get 18 months per bullet.

[@ganlet20]

Hey, I’m an American and have no problem with them getting jail time.

[@digitalpacs]

I have no problem with someone going to jail. It the length of time that is extreme.

[@yelleryoung5870]

@@digitalpacs How is it extreme? He brought highly illegal and potentially deadly objects into their country.

[@charlessmith263]

What is the reason behind the T and C's very severe anti-gun/anti-bullet importation law? Why is there a very severe penalty for importation of all of that gun stuff there?

[@richardgreen9330]

Why do these american people go into other countries and think they can do whatever they want. . I don't understand that..

[@elmerkilred159]

Yet the countries are more than happy to take them in to let them spend money.

[@sheristewart2770]

Hello, American here~ because in The States, sadly, Americans CAN do just about anything they want, specifically when it comes to The Right to Bear Arms. It's insane here. Not kidding.

[@WarHawk-]

There is a scene in the Indiana Jones movie "Raiders of the Lost Ark" where 'Marion' yells "You can't do that to me, I'm American" while she is being kidnapped. Perfect parallel for the American attitude that we are, somehow, special!

[@LoveableLincoln32]

@@sheristewart2770it’s not insane it’s the RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. Stop acting like it’s so scary. It’s perfectly fine and I’ve love my whole life around it.

[@LoveableLincoln32]

@@WarHawk-you watch too many movies to believe that’s any kind of reality.

[@occamsrazorblades]

If you need a passport, know everything in your luggage!

[@SMetz-cw6qj]

Great point!

[@disastermaster1413]

Can’t do the time, don’t do the crime.

[@bengibson3298]

Well, someone's getting an extended stay

[@rooster1012]

Wonder if they get the continental breakfast with that?

[@thequake180]

@@rooster1012 all expenses are paid in his luxury prison suite.

[@rubegoldburg7841]

Ignorance and Carelessness is no excuse👎

[@charlessmith263]

Why is it no excuse to do both when you are in a foreign country?

[@monicawerner5762]

@@charlessmith263love the sarcasm ❤

[@AdrianMunch]

No different what we do to foreigners who break the laws here.

[@jsmcguireIII]

Lol, his American "freedoms" trapped him in a sane country.

[@Pilotpailie]

Because it’s sane to imprison someone for having a few rounds of ammo right?

[@Habadacus405]

@@Pilotpailieactually, yes.

[@joetran8798]

​@@Pilotpailie Are you saying an exception should be made for Americans who break local laws in another country because of the second amendment?

[@Pilotpailie]

@@Habadacus405 you defiantly should think about moving to a different country. Firearms aren’t going anyplace.

[@paladro]

@@Pilotpailie so you don't respect the law? even when travelling abroad? a reasonable, intelligent person would not have loose rounds in their luggage, period. how does that even accidentally happen, what are they rushing around before the big trip and just got back from the gun show and their luggage was so loaded with firearms that they just overlooked it?

[@ac61900]

You don't accidentally have bullets in your luggage that you packed to go to another country.. you break the laws in another country you need to be accountable sorry.

[@georgezipp8783]

Griner was set free for a merchant of death and welcomed back like a Hero ? That's messed up .

[@slynskey333]

Why would you have ammo on your holiday?

[@mo_1010]

2nd amendment can’t save you in a foreign country.

[@Runner656]

Seriously, at the Canadian land border this happens a lot more than you think. They can either have the guns destroyed or go back and take the gun home and then come back. Almost all fuss about their 2nd amendment rights to Canadian border agents

[@sandraaviles-wilkes7036]

😂they’re fussing about their 2nd Amendment rights as they’re trying to go into Canada (totally different country, NOT THE USA). Yeah know I understand why everyone in the world thinks we’re stupid.

[@LoveableLincoln32]

It is a big fuse about the 2A in other countries like a bunch of crybabies

[@holyland6380]

@@sandraaviles-wilkes7036 We also call our game World Series. Many here think that the lower half of North America is the entire world.

[@monicawerner5762]

@@sandraaviles-wilkes7036we don’t think you’re stupid/ just self-entitled. Thank you for defying the stereotype. We know the vast majority of Americans are lovely people. But gosh, it seems like such a polarized society - maybe it would help if more ppl would be humble and say “sorry, eh”

[@NathanDrake-hm6li]

Americans think his American rights work overseas lol . Poor thing

[@sandraaviles-wilkes7036]

Why are you bring ammunition on vacation?! I don’t understand the logic behind that. You’re on VACATION!!! Honestly it looks suspicious because anyone with common sense wouldn’t bring ammunition on vacation. Were they trying to sell weapons??

[@rooster1012]

The Transportation Security Administration says it found a record number of firearms at airport security checkpoints in 2023. A total of 6,737 were intercepted - or an average of 18 firearms per day - 93% of which which were loaded, the agency says. The number surpassed 2022's record of 6,542 firearms found.Jan 11, 2024

[@The_Algorithm_]

​@@rooster1012 I wonder how many of them had "We the people" tattoos. 😂

[@darrellmay4502]

When other countries say that Guns,Ammo, Drugs, are illegal they really mean it. If You value your freedom at all, make damn sure that you have none of those things when you are traveling abroad!,✨

[@sisterdoublehappiness9714]

Reminds me of the woman who recently traveled to Dubai to be the first female big rig driver, had a meltdown in a car agency and was arrested for publicly insulting another person (punishable by up to a year in jail in Dubai). Apparently, acting like an entitled asshole doesn't work as well in some foreign countries as it does in the U.S.

[@Nadezhda1932]

What is it with people taking guns/ammo with them on vacation?! And he how was it not detected when the luggage was checked in ?

[@freshprince130]

If those thugs would just comply and follow the rules they wouldn't be in this predicament. Isn't that what they say 😂😂😂

[@cynymin6420]

So our TSA let them through with ammo and it wasn’t found until they got there?? Wtg.

[@voiceofreasoningelliott5849]

Life in prison

[@leohorishny9561]

Life in foreign prison: a bonus experience!

[@LoveableLincoln32]

That’s f uking stupid thing to say. Life in prison for misplaced bullets what a unserious person. What is he gonna do with them? Throw them at people.

[@jimmylieb5225]

enjoy your fully paid extended stay in paradise!! not everywhere is gun nut heaven!!

[@krimsonedit3272]

Gun nuts

[@janelle2274]

Oh well!

[@shannon-976]

Shouldn't of had bullets in your luggage. Remember know one is above a law.

[@DefinitelyNotAFerret]

Or so we believe

[@oliverwade666]

oh well.... should have been more careful....you can afford to own a gun and travel but to cheap to get a gun bag for the weapon and ammo... make it make sense

[@AdrianMunch]

Keep him there.

[@triskits_mmm]

US embassy: hold my beer

[@davediamond9436]

in 1970 basic training ..after the firing range, we were searched for live ammo...the drill sergeant found one .223 round in my clip holder .(i think he planted it) i had to do 50 pushups in the freezing rain.. better then prison ..

[@rooster1012]

No brass no ammo Drill Sergeant!!! But there was always that one guy......🤣🤣🤣

[@MrJohnnyboats]

best of days, right there. You prob did it in your sleep.

[@MrJohnnyboats]

They broke the law. Ohio govn’r sounds like the American parent who don’t believe their kid is in the wrong.

[@LoveableLincoln32]

It’s good on the Ohio govenor to try and get him back

[@The_Algorithm_]

​@@LoveableLincoln32Why is it good? The guy broke a law with serious consequences that he now has to face. It's not even a new law.

[@sharongutwin1279]

How is it that anyone would travel with bullets? Why? How can a person not know they are in their luggage? Is it that Americans have become so comfortable around bullets and guns that they think that others are ok with them in their country?

[@islandbirdw]

People need to wake up, smuggling ammo is a crime there folks. Tourist leave your ammo at home properly secured. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@charlessmith263]

Do you live in Turks and Caicos?

No one is above the law in the US or in a foreign country. Imagine the dramatic consequences if someone with bad intentions would have had his ammo. Why blaming Turks and Caicos for wanting to save lives and maintain law and order? He should be grateful that the sentence cannot exceed 12 years in jail.

[@susannpatton2893]

F A F O moment Dont go if you can't be smart and check your bag. 😂😂😂😂 What if you children found the bullets? So irresponsible

[@erikaquatsch2190]

Tourists: You are not going to an amusement park; you are willfully entering another sovereign country with laws different than your country.

[@waynecmontgomery]

SNL has to do a skit on this

[@jamesjazzy8040]

I think it's great.Maybe people will realize how absolutely stupid it is to own Guns in so many different ways. Nothing good comes from owning firearms, nothing...

[@Renovegas6109]

Dont go there

[@myrtlemoore7611]

I think this is about money because when a prosecutor opens something like this we're visiting your country with spending money we got tourists now every tour should be scared to go over there now everyone

[@juju-xx5xn]

So was the ammo found when they entered the country, or was it found when they were at the airport ready to fly out of there? If it was when they left the USA, how come TSA didn't find it? If it was found as they were leaving, is there something special about the ammo in Turks and Caicos? Inquiring minds and all that..........

[@rooster1012]

The one guy admitted that he traveled with it and it was somehow left in his luggage from his last trip to Texas.

[@Habadacus405]

They said it was found on their way leaving the foreign country. So before their return flight.

[@elmerkilred159]

@@rooster1012 His second mistake was admitting that the ammo was his.

[@sharongutwin1279]

The guy with ammo is responsible for traveling. Stupid gun owners cannot blame TSA for missing them.

[@myrtlemoore7611]

But yet we spend money over there we need to stop spending money over there Americans need to stop going over there

[@trudyjager5609]

I am just watching ABC doing a very sympathetic interview with one of these men. Who leaves ammo in a suitcase, doesn’t check the laws of the country they are going to, and now whines about an honest mistake? Someone with absolute arrogance.

[@RobertDixon-sw3dz]

Does she remarry ?

[@vlong5710]

What them folks tell us “just follow the rules”prison sounds about right and just another example of how TSA sucks

[@iMatti00]

😢 ~ I feel sad for them. But I do wish I knew if he was the kind of guy that says ignorance of the law is no excuse“ and stuff about how people should be more responsible and “the law is what the law is“. Some people have no empathy until it happens to them. So I don’t know if this couple was like that or if they were in the middle or they were very empathetic for people all the time. I just wish I knew. I dont want to stereotype but most from Oklahoma are not usually the empathetic type.f

[@iMatti00]

Here’s the thing, if that Oklahoma governor is nasty or rude, and I’m the governor/president of that island country, I sent home all the people except for the guy from Okla.. Then I make the Oklahoma governor get on TV and apologize to me and our country just like he ran his mouth otherwise when he was demanding something.

[@juandoe4934]

They love tough on crime so…

[@edl653]

We don't know the details of all the cases, like if it was "a" bullet or 2 boxes with 50 rounds each. There should be some leeway by the Judge regarding circumstance of the cases. About 15 years ago I rented a car from Alamo Rent a Car I picked up at the airport and found a gun magazine with 3 bullets in it, no gun or casing. It surely was not mine.

[@hakeemtheplace2959]

2 bad

[@GilmerJohn]

Well, if this place wants to house these folks for 12 years and lose a lot of tourist business, go right ahead.

[@wlcoston]

Let’s normalize responsible gun ownership

[@terriring6459]

So crazy why can't the American concelit help them

[@CA-zn9bq]

Ammo and no weapon? Why?

[@elmerkilred159]

Maybe his gun is in his car at the airport. The bullets without a gun is like having a condom in your pocket. You no going to be using either without your gun.

[@sidkimuwallif4597]

Just pay the bribe and move on, no big deal 😊😊

[@sugawalls26]

Americans need to stop being so arrogant and learn to respect other people's laws. Even the guy giving this report seems very dismissive in his tone. Not everyone is gun happy like y'all.

[@sheristewart2770]

Is it LEGAL in The States to carry guns or ammo on a plane???

[@Bonjour-World]

In checked luggage with proper notifications to the air carriers.

[@afwgee]

In checked luggage and sometimes they require it to be locked away as well, but it's not about just the states laws but the other country's laws too.

[@MikeH-sg2ue]

Accidentally forgot real bullets in his bag, going into a different country with better gun laws! Examples must be set, & safety must be kept! Play carefully folks, & smile often!

[@ljacobs357]

Americans and their guns.

[@tbolton6156]

Ahh! The old one bullet at a time conspiracy. 🙄

[@adamwhiterock7376]

Wonder who Bidan will trade for them.

[@arjaygee]

Donald Trump.

[@Bonjour-World]

Don Jr. and Eric

[@joewhoa1759]

STOP traveling with guns and gun related items. If you're that scared of the world, stay in your house. Now look what you have to put up with.

[@williamalford4248]

Very simple solution. Don't keep ammo in your baggage when travelling. The rest of the civilized world does not share America's insane obsession with guns. These unfortunate people are proof of our irresponsible and cavalier attitude towards guns. I sincerely hope Turks and Caicos doesn't make an exception for these lawbreakers. They are an independent British Overseas Territory have a right to make and enforce their own laws. Their proximity to the insanity of US gun culture should make them more ambitious to make an example of those who break the law regarding the import of guns and ammunition.

[@williamshaw5388]

No sympathy for gun cowards. You get to learn you’re not special and you can’t do anything you like in other people’s country. Welcome to accountability.

[@themartdog]

People are acting like this draconian law isn't brand new. They literally used to just give you a fine for this. There is such a thing as "spirit of the law vs letter of the law" and in this case this law was obviously designed to go after weapons smugglers, not "dumb tourist forgot about a single stray bullet in his bag"

[@miadahhajbi6442]

Vampire Stern family

[@MrWhitmen1981]

CIA?

[@michaelwells7348]

I’ve lived in a City of @ 1 Million People for Over 30 years.... and have Never Felt like a Gun was Going to Protect me from Anything... What is up with these People & Guns. Do they feel afraid or inadequate in some way..like they don’t measure up to Other Men ???

[@eddenoy321]

Good comment. Guns make you less safe for sure. Anyone who wants to do harm to you will assume you are armed so they will act accordingly.

[@Da-joker41]

I bet if they were black they would have been out by now

[@tw8461]

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🐲

[@StirFryChicken]

Call Biden

[@askani21]

Why? Biden actually respects laws. His job isn't to promote the US gun death cult.

[@georgezipp8783]

Funny that all of you are giving this guy grief . But you all ( press ) screamed about how awful it was that Brittney Griner was held responsible for her action . The woke and lefties have been exposed again .

[@ColAuctioneer]

Pay a fine. cost too much to jail. Move on Turks.

[@arjaygee]

Because you say so?

[@askani21]

Ah yes, the American has spoken. The world shall obey. ... I know in the US it's a wild gun jungle, but in other countries we actually do have laws. We don't let children get mass murdered because of a gun obsession.

[@LoveableLincoln32]

@@arjaygeebecause it’s not worth having him in jail have him pay the fine and get him back to the states.

[@arjaygee]

@@LoveableLincoln32 Not worth it to whom? Seems like jailing offenders would be more of a deterrent.

[@Pilotpailie]

All of you hypocrites could not wait to defend that basketball playing IT to be released for having weed in Russia.

[@elmerkilred159]

I've never even heard of this place, or its Micky Mouse laws.

[@rayray8687]

That’s not surprising. Anyway, have you heard of Florida? That’s where a nutcase governor is trying to make Mickey Mouse laws.

[@Bonjour-World]

Home schooling ?

[@holyland6380]

If you've never heard of this place, how did you access their laws and come up with this comment?

[@liam6360]

They need to be released Where is our embassy

[@shondrawhite9317]

They should of followed their laws . Who leaves ammo laying around in bags. Mines locked up with my firearms. Loose ammo ..no thanks

[@awtodor]

Nope don't take ammo, other countries don't want our problems

[@leighannsoles8432]

Other countries don't want the USAs gun culture .

[@davediamond9436]

unless he was a diplomat , he has no immunity to local laws

[@yelleryoung5870]

No, they and you need to respect the laws of other countries.