The United States Virgin Islands legislature is considering a bill that imposes extreme infringements on rights protected by the Second Amendment. The Bill is number 36-0144, which amends chapter 13 of the Virgin Islands Code Title 14. From legvi.org:
Lawmakers considered Bill No. 36-0144, an act amending Title 14 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 113 to define and prohibit assault rifles, ban suppressors and silencers, and requiring safety training for licensed rifles and shotgun holders, prohibiting large-capacity magazines and preventing the illegal sales of firearms, firearm accessories, and ammunition.
The Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands is Gordon C. Rhea, Esq. Rhea was sworn into office about ten days before President Trump was elected in 2024. Rhea has been a member of the Virgin Islands bar for more than 40 years. From legvi.org:
Gordon C. Rhea, Esq., Attorney General of the United States Virgin Islands also spoke in favor of the proposed measure. Rhea stated firearms have had a significant role in criminal activities in the territory and emphasised the fact that the firearms are not made in the Virgin Islands, stating that most firearms are either legally or illegally imported into the territory.
The U.S. Virgin Islands already has what this correspondent considers the most restrictive firearms laws in the United States. The U.S. Virgin Islands also have one of the highest homicide rates in the world. It is impossible to legally own a firearm in the territory without permission from the governing authorities.
These laws are already considered unconstitutional. They only continue to exist because no legal challenges have been brought in federal courts. Challenging a law’s constitutionality is very expensive and time-consuming.
In January 2025, the Governor of the Virgin Islands, Albert Bryan Jr., stated that the U.S. Virgin Islands’ firearm laws have failed. He said he thought the Islands should reform their firearms laws, eliminate many restrictions, and make it easier for people to own and carry firearms. From AmmoLand:
“I think we should move to a place where we open gun ranges that are legal and we make it easier for people to license and carry firearms,” Governor Bryan stated. He argued that the percentage of Virgin Islanders who carry unregistered weapons for reasons of ill-intent is very small, while the majority of residents carry firearms because “they’re trying to protect themselves, or feel protected.”
Bill 36-0144 has not become law in the U.S. Virgin Islands at the time of this writing. Governor Bryan was elected as the ninth elected governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2019. Governor Bryan nominated AG Rhea and the Virgin Islands Legislature confirmed him. It the legislature passes Bill 36-0144, Governor Bryan might veto it.
Draconian anti-Second Amendment laws do not reduce homicide rates. The Virgin Island firearms laws await a challenge in federal courts. The island’s total population is approximately 84,000 and is in decline. It is one of the smallest polities in the United States. It does not garner much attention. The U.S. Virgin Islands are within the jurisdiction of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, which has a mixed record of upholding Supreme Court decisions regarding the Second Amendment. Important Second Amendment cases in the Third Circuit involve issues likely to be settled by the Supreme Court this term.
One of this correspondent’s colleagues spent several years in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He said the Virgin Islands were the most corrupt polity in the United States. Corrupt politicians do not want an armed population. The U.S. Virgin Islands will have to be dragged through the courts to respect the rights of the people protected by the Second Amendment.
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About Dean Weingarten:
Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of Constitutional Carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.
