Governor Albert Bryan has introduced legislation aimed at modernising firearms laws in the US Virgin Islands to local regulations with United State of America Second Amendment Constitutional protections.

The proposed Second Amendment Rights and Public Safety Act seeks to establish a comprehensive framework governing firearm ownership and use in the territory. 

The proposed law comes after the US Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a complaint against the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) on December 16, 2025 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. 

In the complaint, the DOJ said numerous applicants complained that VIPD is unreasonably delaying their gun permit application decisions and added unreasonable conditions, including bolted-in gun safes, prior to issuing gun licenses.

In a statement announcing the complaint filing, US Attorney for the US Virgin Islands Adam Sleeper commented: “The territory’s firearms licensing laws and practices are inconsistent with the Second Amendment.” 

“This lawsuit seeks to uphold the rights of law-abiding citizens to bear arms in the US Virgin Islands.”

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division added: “The newly-established Second Amendment Section filed this lawsuit to bring the Virgin Islands Police Department back into legal compliance by ensuring that applicants receive timely decisions without unconstitutional obstruction.”

In a statement, Bryan said the measure is designed to balance constitutional rights with stronger public safety protections.

Bryan said the proposal is the result of years of collaboration involving the Virgin Islands Department of Justice and Senators Angel Bolques and Clifford Joseph, who previously introduced related legislative measures.

“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 US 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 proposal would update Chapter 5 of Title 23 of the Virgin Islands Code to reflect guidance from the US Supreme Court, including the ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. 

The legislation maintains restrictions recognised by the court, including limits in sensitive locations and prohibitions for certain individuals.

Under the proposal, individuals would be required to obtain a Virgin Islands firearms licence and registration certificate for each firearm before possessing, purchasing, transferring, transporting or carrying a weapon. 

Active duty military personnel and law enforcement officers would be exempt while performing official duties.

The bill also introduces an objective licensing process, requiring background checks, documentation and certification of compliance with safe storage rules. 

Authorities would be required to issue licences or provide written denials within 90 days of receiving completed applications. 

Licences would typically remain valid for 5 years.

The measure establishes timelines for firearm registration, requiring authorities to issue registration certificates or written denials within 60 days of completed applications.

If approved, the legislation would permit concealed carry of registered handguns in public for licensed holders but would prohibit open carry and restrict the carrying of long guns in public spaces.

The bill identifies several sensitive locations where firearms would remain prohibited, including government buildings, schools, childcare facilities, hospitals, penal institutions, polling stations during voting, stadiums, public parks, playgrounds and beaches. It also outlines rules governing firearms on private property and at certain public gatherings.

The proposal strengthens safe storage regulations, including guidelines for firearms stored in vehicles, and introduces penalties when unsafe storage allows unauthorised access that results in injury or death.

It also proposes restrictions on certain firearm accessories and devices, including silencers, bump stocks and conversion kits, while maintaining bans on automatic weapons, ghost guns, explosive devices and certain short-barrel firearms, with limited exemptions for authorised personnel.

The legislation includes transitional provisions recognising existing firearm licences for a specified period and outlines procedures for surrendering certain unlicensed or unregistered firearms before the law takes effect.

“Our community deserves laws that are constitutional, clear, and enforceable,” Bryan said. “This proposal protects the rights of law-abiding residents while drawing bright lines that protect our schools, our parks, our beaches, and our families. It is common sense, and it gives our police the clarity they need to enforce the law and keep people safe.”

If passed by the Legislature and approved by the Governor, the proposed law would take effect upon approval.