Ryan W. is a U.S. citizen who lives in Oklahoma.
As you probably heard, he visited Turks and Caicos on vacation, and airport security in Turks and Caicos found ammunition in his luggage.
So, Ryan was arrested and faces 12 years in prison.
Thankfully, after spending two days in jail Ryan secured a $15,000 bond and was released.
But he is required to stay in Turks and Caicos and check in with the police twice a week.
His wife didn’t face any charges for the ammunition and was able to return to Oklahoma.
A GoFundMe was set up to help Ryan and his family while he stays in Turks and Caicos to face his charges.
“I’m completely humbled and feel so incredibly blessed that people have been responding in such a powerful way,” said Ryan.
Ryan’s wife told the media that the ammo was brought to the country by mistake.
“Packing ammunition was not at all our intent,” she said.
After recent arrests of Americans in Turks and Caicos the U.S. State Department issued a warning.
It said, Turks and Caicos authorities “strictly enforce all firearms-and-ammunition-related laws. Declaring a weapon in your luggage with an airline carrier does not grant permission to bring the weapon into the Turks and Caicos Islands and will result in your arrest.”
In Turks and Caicos possessing guns and ammo is illegal, and even tourists who are leaving the country can face prison sentences.
The bottom line is, when you travel internationally with guns or ammo you have to be very cautious.
Every year, hundreds of Americans are arrested in foreign countries for carrying weapons.
You don’t have the same rights in a foreign country.
So, here are a few things to keep in mind if you plan to travel internationally with weapons.
Contact the embassy:
If you are planning to travel internationally, you should contact the embassy of the country you plan to visit.
For example, if you are traveling to Norway, contact the Norwegian embassy in Washington, D.C.
Explain to them where you will be traveling and ask what you need to do to legally bring firearms into the country.
The embassy will be able to give you the latest information on laws and what you need to do.
Call the airline:
Guns and ammo must always be transported in a locked, hard-sided case, in checked baggage.
Before your trip, contact the airline to ask about limits and fees for what you plan to bring.
Most airlines limit the amount of ammo you can bring.
In addition, if it’s a foreign airline they might be able to share with you any laws or policies of the country you are traveling to.
Customs and Border Protection policies:
One thing you could do before traveling internationally is to register your firearms with Customs and Border Protection.
Now, I don’t suggest this, but it’s an option you might hear about, so I want to bring it to your attention.
I don’t believe in giving the feds any more information than is absolutely necessary, especially about my firearms.
If you travel a lot with one particular firearm, you might think this is worth it to save you a headache.
But you may discover that it creates an even bigger headache down the line when government goons come knocking, asking for your guns.
Because as you well know, whether it’s a foreign government, or the gun grabbers here at home, your Second Amendment rights are under assault.
And I have no intention of giving up my rights or my means to defend myself and my family.
