BVI News

American held at airport with loaded gun

The Terrance B Lettsome Airport

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has arrested a 52-year-old man from the United States possession of a loaded firearm.

He was arrested at the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport on Tuesday, April 27.

“Initial enquiries indicate that the male entered the territory on April 21, in possession of the weapon and was not checked by Immigration or Customs. However, upon trying to depart the territory on April 26, the weapon was found in his possession, and he subsequently arrested by the Police stationed at the airport,” the RVIPF said in a brief statement this morning.

It is not clear when he will appear in court but BVI news understands that the American has already secured an attorney.

Police, in the meantime, said enquiries are ongoing in the matter.

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40 Comments

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  1. snuffalupagus says:

    How was he not checked upon entry? This is a deadly illegal weapon. So we can check every local for weed but won’t check visitors for guns? C’mon mon.

    Like 38
    Dislike 1
    • ReadingisFundamental says:

      The article did not mention that it was an illegal gun; it stated he was carrying a loaded gun. He probably has a licence to carry the gun in the USA and was unaware that he could not bring it to the the VI

      Like 14
      Dislike 25
      • @Reading is Fundamental says:

        If the gun is not licensed here then that makes it illegal whether it is licensed in the US or not. He should have been properly checked. But i guess they only looking for locals with guns.

        Like 30
        Dislike 3
        • Elsa says:

          That man knew that residents and visitors are allowed to carry firearms in the BVI. He was probably trying to prove a point, so I am glad that he was nabbed. I hope he is going to spend the same 3 plus years in prison like locals.

          Like 2
          Dislike 1
      • @ReadingisFundamental says:

        Legal in the US! Guns are illegal in the BVI! therefore he was carrying an illegal firearm in the BVI. You should read to comprehend not to respond.

        Like 19
        Dislike 2
      • @ReadingisFundamental says:

        “unaware” give me a break! You are travelling across an international frontier you should know you cannot travel with a deadly weapon. This is the same arrogant attitude Americans have when they come in by boat and dont clear through. Seriously lock this guy up.

        Like 24
        Dislike 7
        • Observer says:

          Lock up you say? Did they say he was from the other Caribbean Islands…No! so no lock up for him.

        • 40 years says:

          The U.S. should apply precisely the same fishing and entry laws to those crossing the line in the other direction that your crooked gov’t has applied to U.S. citizens over the years. Then the whining begins . . .

      • Him says:

        What on earth does the law in a foreign country have to do with our laws? If it’s legal to marry your sister in Alabama
        Should we let Bobby Sue and Enis go at it here?

  2. 2mm says:

    Its very disturbing how gun owners walk around with their guns like its a regular thing

    Like 22
    Dislike 2
  3. Assassin says:

    Another paid assassin come to do a job?

    Like 7
    Dislike 5
  4. Enforce says:

    To prevent recurrences, enforce the law. Maximum fine, a little prison time, confiscate and destroy his weapon and expel him for life. What kind of person brings guns into planes anyway?

    Like 22
    Dislike 1
    • TruDat! says:

      We have many laws and little enforcement. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. For sure this is a very serious infraction. I’d be interested to know where he came from on April 21, it seems that their procedures need a serious review also.

      Like 13
    • Concealed Carry says:

      If you have a concealed carry permit you can travel with that firearm. St Thomas?? airport Cyril E King has a office run by the VIPD where as you get off the plane by baggage claim stating you can register your firearm once you arrive in the USVI. Unfortunately, BVI ?? don’t have this law and it will be interesting to see the outcome. I remember few years back before Irma, l was traveling to Dominican ?? and it had ex- police officer who had a similar problem and was allowed to board his flight ✈️?‍♂️. This reply for @enfore. I am a concealed carry in the US and live in the BVI. Penny for taught l love my privilege to protect myself and family in the event God Forbids someone trys something.

      Like 8
      Dislike 4
      • Really? says:

        More guns is not the answer thank you very much. Far more people are killed by accidental discharge than criminals who would supposedly otherwise have been stopped. Biggest killer of kids in the USA? Guns…

        Like 8
        Dislike 1
      • goo back says:

        then go back to the USA and conceal your weapon as guns are not allowed in the BVI or the UK as our Police do not kill people all the time for no reason except they thought they had a gun and do not have training how to subdue without using a firearm. The US Police are very weak.

        Like 11
        Dislike 3
      • @Concealed says:

        I do not believe TSA allows people to carry concealed guns, concealed carry permit or not, in cabins aboard passenger aircraft in the US. Your weapon is supposed to be in your checked luggage, and AFIK has to be declared. If you do go through StT airport arrivals there are very large signs and notices admonishing you to registed ia fire arm, if you brought one with VIPD upon arrival. So, a person coming to the Territory with a firearm is undoutedly doing so knowing they are likely to be in contravention with the law. It’s not a pocket knife for goodness sake. Does the Territory really want to welcome people whose attitude is to flaunt the law just because wherever they’re from they’re allowed to carry a concealed weapon? And, do we want people who are insecure enough with the world that they find it necessary to go on vacation with their gun? Why would you want to go on vacation where a gun is needed for self- protection? What if the gun got stolen and used in the commission of a crime? What if the owner himself found reason (valid or otherwise) and caused grevious harm to innocent people?

        Like 10
      • No More Guns says:

        Fortunately, the BVI does not have the same law. It’s the last thing the BVI needs.

      • Got says:

        Gun owners in the us are creepy men childs

    • 5 years says:

      give him 5 years in prison,do not pass go do not collect , send him down so people are aware. This guy has come off aprivate jet and thinks he can doo as he pleases in the BVI. Lock him up

      Like 4
      Dislike 1
  5. Customs says:

    How about a fine and some prison time for the lame Customs officers who let the gunslinger gringo enter the BVI on 21 April.

    Like 33
    Dislike 4
    • Uhm says:

      Yeah, really? How often is anyone thoroughly checked upon entering a country?

      Not just BVI but any country usually just does random checks on bags that are incoming.

  6. Hmm says:

    There seems to be more to this story than we are led to believe. How a can a civilian board an airplane with a loaded gun and not be stopped at either the departing or arrival port?

    Like 21
  7. think again says:

    to all the bloggers when you guys return to the bvi from any trip do customs pat you down on your return?? stop chatting crap and get to understand the procedure. they check your bags and the customs forms that you filled in should have something about carrying a prohibited weapon or firearm.

  8. See says:

    Ever think that maybe the guy got the gun while here . Guns are everywhere here .

  9. LG says:

    How about looking for all the illegal guns that are in the BVI. Stop all cars and scooters and you will find enough for an army. But alas there is no consequences in the BVI,

    Like 13
  10. @Customs says:

    Who said it was a gringo???

  11. Hmm says:

    It was a black American – should not make any difference but suspect it will.

  12. hmmm says:

    well we know Customs do not check every bags entering the country so I can understand him getting into the country with it. Stupid though

  13. Huh? says:

    Why is everyone acting brand new? Who do you see being searched on arrival at T.B. Lettsome Airport? They do not search you when arriving only when leaving.

  14. Observer says:

    I was expecting to see more comments under this post…but wait I forgot it’s not somebody from the Caribbean

    Like 2
    Dislike 4
  15. shotta says:

    Lets hope that it wasn’t he who let off those 4 rounds sunday night

  16. Rex FeRaL says:

    That’s some ignorant shit.

  17. Entry says:

    Did he arrive on a commercial airline or a private charter?

  18. Jeeze says:

    How did this douche bag clear customs on arrival?

  19. lillian says:

    guess the inmmigration …… corruptions too what you all expect?

  20. any updates? says:

    Any updates to this situation? Or what happened to the guy? BVI News, could you look into this and publish a new article.

    Name of the guy was Richard Shannan

  21. Davi 12 says:

    It is a normal thing in the US.

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