Article Summary –
Five American tourists have been arrested in Turks and Caicos for ammunition possession, with four admitting they brought the ammunition by mistake. The governors of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Oklahoma have asked the governor of Turks and Caicos to show mercy and reconsider the charges against three Americans from their states. Possessing a gun or ammunition in Turks and Caicos is prohibited, and since February, tourists caught with such items can face mandatory prison time, in addition to fines.
U.S. Governors Appeal for Tourists Detained in Turks and Caicos Over Ammunition Possession
Three American governors have appealed to Turks and Caicos to show leniency towards arrested American tourists, following the fifth U.S. tourist, a Florida woman, being charged with ammunition possession. The arrested individuals admitted to carrying ammunition but claimed it was unintentional. Read more here.
The governors of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Oklahoma requested the governor of Turks and Caicos to reconsider charges against Bryan Hagerich, Tyler Wenrich, and Ryan Watson, who face possible 12-year prison sentences. Find out more about Bryan Hagerich. Learn about Tyler Wenrich’s case. Read about Ryan Watson’s situation.
The governors emphasized the tourists’ lack of malicious intent and their travel to Turks and Caicos for leisure.
Meanwhile, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police confirmed another American tourist, 45-year-old Sharitta Shinise Grier of Orlando, Florida, was charged with one count of ammunition possession. The rounds were allegedly discovered in her luggage during a routine search at Howard Hamilton International Airport.
Grier is now awaiting her next court hearing on July 5.
The National Rifle Association has urged the U.S. State Department to assist in returning the detained U.S. citizens. The State Department, acknowledging Grier’s arrest, has advised Americans traveling to Turks and Caicos to inspect their luggage closely for forgotten ammunition or weapons.
While possession of a gun or ammunition in Turks and Caicos is prohibited, tourists used to be able to pay fines. However, a February court order mandated potential prison time even for tourists, in addition to fines. It is also against TSA regulations to carry ammo in a carry-on bag. The TSA has admitted missing hunting ammunition in one of the tourists’ carry-on bags and is addressing the oversight internally.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske acknowledged that American screeners sometimes miss ammunition in carry-on luggage due to the large number of images they review. He highlighted the need for technology to assist in identifying ammunition and weapons and suggested travelers carefully pack their carry-on bags to avoid carrying stray ammunition.
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