CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Senator Alma Francis Heyliger has introduced legislation to reduce firearm related crimes in the territory by repealing part of the “Reciprocal recognition of out-of-state licenses” section of the Virgin Islands Code. Bill Resolution No. 21-0465 would strike the first paragraph of Title 23 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 5, section 460, which states the following:
“Unless otherwise prohibited by any state or federal law, a license to possess or to carry firearms, issued
by any competent authority of any state or territory of the United States and in accordance with the same
or similar requirements as set forth in the preceding sections pertaining to the applicant’s eligibility, and
the establishment of his reputation through fingerprints, shall be recognized as valid within the Virgin
Islands and shall allow the holder thereof to exercise all of the privileges in connection therewith, while
said licensee is a visitor or transient resident herein.”
Striking that paragraph from the Virgin Islands Code would enable law enforcement agencies to monitor and mitigate the flow of firearms into the Territory by requiring the owners of incoming firearms to apply for a license sanctioned by the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands under its own legal requirements. Repealing that language from Section 460 allows a greater accountability with regards to the possession of firearms in the Territory and forges an effort towards smothering its pervasive struggle with gun violence, Senator Francis Heyliger said.
“The territory’s struggle with gun violence needs no further introduction,” said Sen. Francis Heyliger. “It needs a conclusion. And the people of this territory deserve much better conclusion than the one they read in the news or hear on the radio on a seemingly daily basis.”
Senator Francis Heyliger noted that her colleagues in the 34th Legislature largely supported an effort to suppress gun crime in the territory through this exact method of repealing 23 VIC, chapter 5, section 460 during a Senate session held back in April 2021. At that time, multiple lawmakers supported a full repeal of the Territory’s “reciprocal recognition” of out-of-state licenses.
“I have no doubt that my colleagues in the 34th Legislature share a similar desire to pass meaningful legislation that addresses the personal safety of the citizens of the Territory and its guests,” Senator Heyliger said. “As this piece of legislation moves forward, I ask my colleagues for their support in repealing this section of the law. Let’s get a handle on the firearms we already have here in the territory before we welcome more into it.”
Meanwhile, people on social media thought the senator should go back to the drawing board with the bill.
“Very very narrow-minded indeed,” Patrick Deery said from St. Thomas. “Can anyone provide any statistics identifying how many gun crimes have been committed by licensed gun holders?? This is such a terribly silly piece of legislation. Why not instead focus on the illegal use of firearms? Since all firearms entering the territory, why not get the US Attorney to join in every gun crime with the possibility of additional heavy gun possession and use charges? Say an additional 20 years, if the perp does not lead law enforcement to whoever sold him the gun. And continue up the ladder from there. How about a mandatory sentence of 10 years for possessing more than six rounds of ammo. How about one year added for each round after six? How about VIPD proving the destruction or mechanism to prove the gun cannot be fired ever again? There is great distrust in VIPD’s seized gun retention. This would help give the community some comfort that these guns are never returned to the streets. Sen. Heyliger needs to get some practical under standing of critical issues before she pushes emotional laws upon innocent people.”
“Let’s make legal gun owners MORE restricted,” Ashby Gibson said. “It’s already hard enough to get SIMPLE licenses from our firearms office… almost six months of wait times for stuff… and an office that barely picks up their phone…. and gives you the same response every time… ‘we’ll let you know.'”
“Sooooo, the LEGAL gun owners are the problem to our gun violence??” Monica Oheema Harrigan said.
“Smh, I don’t even know where to start. But this does absolutely nothing to address the gun violence in the VI,” Thomas Love said.
With its submission to the legislature’s legal counsel, Bill Resolution No. 0465 awaits further action and
assignment to an appropriate Senate committee.