SENATOR ALMA FRANCIS HEYLIGER SUBMITS LEGISLATION TO COMBAT GUN VIOLENCE

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.