As a U.S. territory, the U.S. Virgin Islands falls under the Second Amendment, with lawful citizens there protected from infringement of their right to keep and bear arms. However, many in government don’t see it that way.
We reported last December that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a complaint against the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) alleging that the territory’s unreasonable delays and conditions on lawful gun owners’ rights create an unconstitutional permitting process in violation of the Second Amendment.
At the time, the DOJ said numerous applicants have complained that VIPD is unreasonably delaying their gun permit application decisions and adding unreasonable conditions, including bolted-in gun safes, prior to issuing gun licenses.
Additionally, VIPD continues to enforce a proper cause regulation nearly identical to the law that the U.S. Supreme Court previously struck down in the 2022 Bruen ruling.
Now, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has signed an executive order banning carry in government buildings. Under the order, officers and employees of the government of the Virgin Islands, contractors, visitors and members of the public may not carry, possess or have a firearm or ammunition in any government building or interior office, including adjacent secured areas used for official proceedings.
The restriction applies regardless of whether an individual has an active concealed carry license or any other firearm license.
Interestingly, carrying firearms in those places had not caused any problems in the past. The governor signed the order as a preemptive measure—basically, a solution in search of a problem.
“Government has a responsibility to look ahead, identify gaps, and act before those gaps become problems,” Gov. Bryan said in a news release announcing the action.
“This executive order is a practical, commonsense step to make sure our employees, residents and visitors know what to expect when they enter a government facility. These are places where the public’s business is conducted, and clear safety standards matter.”
Gov. Bryan somehow seems to think that his order doesn’t infringe on the right to bear arms, even though it completely bans the bearing of arms in many buildings and other areas.
“This policy respects the difference between responsible firearm ownership and the need to maintain safe, orderly public facilities,” the governor said. “It does not take away anyone’s rights. It simply makes clear that government buildings are not ordinary spaces. They are workplaces, service centers, hearing rooms, offices and places where sensitive public matters are handled every day.”
Obviously, that statement is a load of anti-gun B.S., much like we commonly hear from anti-gun governors in the continental United States. The assertion that responsible firearm ownership and having safe, orderly public facilities are not compatible in any way is a slap in the face to all gun owners in the Virgin Islands and throughout the nation.
Ultimately, we can only hope that the DOJ, which is already of some of the Virgin Islands’ other 2A infringements, will target this new executive order in the courtroom along with the unconstitutional permitting delays already being questioned.
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By the way according to my computer is this little nugget of information that is not mentioned. Take it for whatever its worth. Grumpy
The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) face high rates of violent crime, particularly gun violence, with homicide rates among the highest in the world.
While tourists are rarely targets of violent crime, they may encounter petty theft, such as pickpocketing. Crime is often concentrated in specific neighborhoods, and many incidents involve personal or gang-related disputes.
Key Crime Trends and Safety Information
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- Homicides: The territory has a high homicide rate, often exceeding 50 per 100,000 people, which is on par with some of the most violent areas in the world. As of late 2024, St. Thomas had reported 29 murders.
- Gun Violence: Illegal firearm trafficking is a major concern, with roughly 93% of guns used in crimes trafficked into the territory.
- Safety for Tourists: Tourists are not typically targeted, but they should exercise caution, particularly in areas like St. Thomas, where violent crime has been more prevalent.
- Common Crimes: Petty crime, including pickpocketing and purse snatching, is a risk, particularly in crowded areas.
- Geographical Variations: St. Thomas has seen higher violent crime rates recently compared to other islands, but crime is present throughout the territory
