Turks and Caicos Changes Gun Laws after American Tourist Arrests

Last month, we reported on a story about authorities in Turks and Caicos arresting several American tourists for possessing ammo in their luggage. Now, the island nation is loosening its policies on visitors caught with ammunition.

Turks and Caicos Changing Gun Laws for American Tourists

This week, the islands of Turks and Caicos repealed their 12-year minimum sentence for firearms charges. The change comes after a slew of high-profile arrests involving American tourists.

While passing through security to depart from their vacations, tourists were detained by Turks and Caicos authorities. Security personnel discovered that these Americans were carrying ammunition in their bags. That’s a crime in the British territory.

The change comes after a group of American politicians traveled to Turks and Caicos in May. After applying pressure to the island’s parliament, officials unanimously voted to repeal the 12-year minimum sentence.

Five American tourists have been detained for carrying ammo since December of 2023. Each of them was facing a 12-year prison sentence before this new law. Authorities confiscated a combined 33 rounds of ammo from all of the detainees.

All of the American detainees left the ammo in their luggage accidentally. Most of them had previously used the luggage on hunting trips, and brought ammo along with them. None of the Americans who were arrested were carrying firearms.

In April of this year, the US Embassy released a statement informing travelers about the update in Turks and Caicos gun laws.

The Big Picture

It’s one thing to dismiss a few cases of tourists unknowingly carrying ammo. It’s another thing entirely to change the laws of a territory with nearly 50,000 residents.

I think the Turks and Caicos authorities made the right call here. None of the Americans who were arrested were actually committing any real crimes. Why should they spend 12 years in prison for what’s clearly a mistake?

With this law’s change, I might consider a tropical getaway to Turks and Caicos soon.