Tourist Fined $4,500 For Three Bullets Found In His Carry-on Bag. Court Said There Were “Extenuating Circumstances” And No Conviction Was Recorded.

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Alric Lindsay

Today, July 2, 2025, Patrick Edwards, a tourist who travelled to Cayman from Texas, appeared in the Summary Court to face a charge of possession of bullets contrary to the Firearms Act.  The Chief Magistrate found that there were “extenuating circumstances” in the case, fined Edwards $4,500, but did not record a conviction.

Background

Regarding the background, Crown Counsel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions explained that, on June 28, 2025, Edwards was in the General Aviation Terminal scheduled to depart on the private vessel chartered by Black Gumball Holdings.

While in the airport departure screening area, an officer checked his carry-on bag and found 3.380 rounds of ammunition (ammunition is included in the definition of a “firearm” under the Firearms Act).

Edwards was cautioned and arrested for importation and possession of unlicensed firearm ammunition.

After being taken to the Cayman Islands Detention Centre and interviewed on June 30 in the presence of his attorney Richard Barton, Edwards made a full admission of his possession of the ammunition.

Reportedly, Edwards explained that he has a large property in Texas where he can openly carry a firearm. He uses it for protection from various forms of dangerous wildlife on his property.

Reportedly, Edwards emptied the cases of bullets but missed some of the loose ones. In other words, the presence of the bullets in his bag was a result of an oversight.

Sentencing

Arguing on his behalf, attorney Richard Barton said that the bullets were detected during a routine check. That is, when the carry-on bag passed through the scanner, an alert was triggered.  This caused a Customs and Border Control officer to search the bag.

Barton explained that following a “great degree of effort and industry” by CBC officer Senior, three loose bullets were found “trapped in an inner compartment that was neither visible to the naked eye nor could be detected on physical examination.”

Barton emphasised that this was important in determining Edwards’ intent in relation to the importation of the bullets.  Essentially, Edwards did not intend to do so, and the inclusion of the bullets in his bag was an oversight.

Barton added that as soon as the CBC officer alerted Edwards about the bullets, Edwards immediately accepted responsibility. Reportedly, at the time, Edwards was in the presence of business associates, his wife of 28 years and his daughter.

Regarding the use of the bullets, Barton explained that Edwards was renovating his property and discovered rattlesnakes.  Therefore, he obtained a firearm and ammunition to protect himself.

Concerning the foregoing, it was noted that Texas is an open carry state, and Edwards was not required to have a license.

Barton explained that the difficulty Edwards was facing with the charge is that he is the managing director of a software company in which a high level of trust is required.

Barton added:

If it were to be discovered that there was anything untoward, certainly in the form of a firearm offence internationally, one could only imagine the financial repercussions this would have.

Barton then referred to a character reference letter submitted on behalf of Edwards, noting that he is a person of good character. Further, it was stated that he has no previous convictions.

Barton concluded:

…when we start to examine the legislative intent of the [Firearms] Act… we have to take a very practical approach, because the way in which this case has exhibited it could never be said that it reflects the intention of the legislation. It is not intended to punish people who make a mistake.

It is not intended to destroy people… that are leading productive lives in jurisdictions from which they come to enjoy our shores for leisure.

That is distinct from someone who, in the absence of a firearm, is found with a litany of ammunition, cash receipts, contrabands.

Attorney Richard Barton (image source: Linkedin)

After hearing submissions from counsels, the Chief Magistrate said she accepted that Edwards came from an open carry jurisdiction and that Edwards took all steps to ensure he emptied his bag.

In the circumstances, the Chief Magistrate found that there was low culpability and low harm.

The Chief Magistrate added:

I accept that it was an inadvertent oversight.

It was absolutely unintentional and in those circumstances I do find that they’re extenuating circumstances.

The Chief Magistrate concluded:

It is not a message [to the public] that… we condone these actions, but every single case must be looked at individually and on their own facts… on these facts I do find extenuating circumstances where no conviction should be recorded.

The Chief Magistrate ordered Edwards to pay costs to the Crown of $4,500 or serve four months’ imprisonment in default of payment. The ammunition was forfeited and ordered to be destroyed.

Note to readers

Under section 15 of the Firearms Act, “no person shall be in possession of any firearm or ammunition except under and in accordance with the terms of a Firearm User’s (Restricted) Licence.”

Section 39 of the Firearms Act states minimum sentences for firearm possession, “unless the relevant court is of the opinion that there are exceptional circumstances relating to the offence.”

Exceptional circumstances are typically declared in favour of tourists, but not for Caymanians.