Bryan Proposes Firearm Law Overhaul Addressing Court Rulings, DOJ Lawsuit
2026-02-06 15:22:29 - VI News Staff
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has proposed the Second Amendment Rights and Public Safety Act, legislation that would comprehensively revise Virgin Islands firearm laws in response to recent U.S. Supreme Court guidance and issues raised in a U.S. Justice Department lawsuit, Government House announced. The proposal would update Chapter 5 of Title 23 of the Virgin Islands Code to align local law with the Supreme Court’s decision in N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen while maintaining restrictions the Court has recognized as permissible, including limits in sensitive places and prohibitions on possession by certain individuals, according to the press release.
Bryan said the legislation is the result of work that began about six years ago, developed in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Justice Department and Sens. Angel Bolques and Clifford Joseph, who previously introduced legislation addressing parts of the issue, according to the press release.
“This is an issue we began working to address about six years ago,” Bryan said. “We knew we needed a modern framework that protects the constitutional rights of Virgin Islands residents while keeping common sense protections in place to help law enforcement and keep the public safe. This bill is an effort to directly address the concerns raised in the recent U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit, align our laws with the Supreme Court’s direction, and put forward a framework that is clear, fair, and enforceable." The Second Amendment Rights and Public Safety Act would establish one uniform set of rules governing firearm ownership and carrying within the territory.
The measure would require individuals to hold a Virgin Islands firearms license and a registration certificate for each firearm to possess, purchase, sell, transfer, transport, or carry. Active duty military personnel and law enforcement officers would be exempt when acting within the scope of their official duties, the press release stated.