American avoids jail after being arrested on ammunition charges in Turks and Caicos

One of five Americans charged for possession of ammunition in Turks and Caicos will be free to leave after paying a fine. NBC News' Priscilla Thompson has details.

Connect with NBC News Online!

#TurksandCaicos #Crime #Ammunition

[NomadicJayye]

The real question is why TSA didn’t catch them before they left the USA?

[robschannel]

Don't carry bullets to other countries.

[HidyoX]

1 or 2 people accidentally bringing ammunitions on an international flight is an honest mistake. But 5 people???

[jdstark]

Ive been shooting for over 10 years. I get leaving a loose round in your car after a range trip or something but to have ammo in a travel bag you plan to get on a plane with post 911 is just crazy to me

[christophergomez]

The same people saying let them go are the same people saying griner should have been left in prison for a vape cartridge

[gloriathomas]

American need to realize that when you go abroad you're subject to the laws the country you're. Americans tend to have this misguided view that what flies here in the US also flies in other countries.

As for guy in question, he'll probably ended up being barred from re-entering the country in the future.

[randallgoldapp]

Judge had common sense. This is a reminder: people, thoroughly clean your luggage before you pack.

[joe]

In America guns and bullets are as common as Tic-Tacs.

[cousinevey]

Poor excuse! Clean out your suitcase before you pack for your next vacation

[ebyim]

If the US is not letting T&C enforce its own laws, they should have made the penalty way more than a $6, 700 fine.

[richarddunk]

Turks and Caicos probably doesn't want the bad press and boycotting of tourism. They'll lose a lot more money if people cancel and opt for another place

[samuelgomezmartinez]

Who in their right mind carries Ammo while traveling outside the United States of America. If he had been in Malaysia or Arab countries oh yes he will serve and be served.

[kevinp]

I love how our TSA did not detect the ammo when he left the US for Turks and Caicos. Doesn't make me feel safe at all!

[ving]

To American ammo is like tooth paste but there are many countries in the world that guns and ammo are against law and it’s a very dangerous weapon.

[zeroturn]

FBI 5 years later: he was on our radar😐

[DavePryor]

When the punishment for crime is a fine then the law only applies to the poor and middle class. The rich are above the law.

[roberthepburn-grfq]

Fair and just the judge realized that it was a mistake
THIS SHOULD SERVE AS A WARNING TO CHECK THE LAWS OF THE COUNTRY YOU ARE GOING TO AND CHECK YOUR BAGS WHEN YOU TRAVEL TO ANOTHER COUNTRY IT'S THEIR LAWS THAT COUNT AND BEING AN AMERICAN GIVES YOU NO RIGHTS YOU ARE AT THE MERCY OF WHAT EVER COUNTRY YOU ARE IN

[goldgeologist]

This nonsense of Americans traveling with ammo must stop! An it begs the question how good security is on planes and ships.

[hamiltheo]

This was a wise decision. This way, Turks and Caicos gets fines from the offenders and continues to get revenue from tourism, but still sends a message about their gun laws.

If they drop the hammer on these tourists and put them in prison, they will have to feed and house them as inmates for many years. Word will likely get around to avoid Turks and Caicos. Both of these would cost them revenue.

[reecom]

Much ado about nothing! Everyone goes home after paying a small fine!