Gun laws in the United States Virgin Islands
Gun laws in the United States Virgin Islands regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the unincorporated territory of the United States Virgin Islands. As the U.S. Virgin Islands are an unincorporated territory of the United States, many U.S. federal laws apply, as well as Constitutional rulings and protections.[1][2]
Summary table
| Subject/Law | Long guns | Handguns | Relevant statutes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permit to purchase? | Yes | Yes | A license is required to purchase any firearm or ammunition. | |
| Firearm registration? | Yes | Yes | All firearms must be registered with the Virgin Islands Police Department. | |
| Assault weapon law? | Yes | Yes | Assault weapons and .50 BMG rifles prohibited. | |
| Magazine capacity restriction? | Yes | Yes | ||
| Owner license required? | Yes | Yes | A license is required to purchase any firearm or ammunition. | |
| Carry permits issued? | No | Yes | The territory currently has a "may issue" policy for the issuance of concealed carry permits. In order to obtain one, the applicant must meet a very stringent set of requirements. Due to the stringent requirements, very few people are issued permits. | |
| Open carry? | No | No | Open carry is prohibited. | |
| NFA weapons restricted? | Yes | Yes | Automatic firearms are prohibited. | |
| Peaceable journey laws? | No | No | Federal law (FOPA) applies. |
Licensing process
The U.S. Virgin Islands have a very stringent and restrictive licensing process necessary in order to purchase or carry a firearm in the Virgin Islands. A person has to be 21 to get a non-carry weapons license along with several other requirements. A person must pay a $75 licensing fee, submit a signed application, be fingerprinted and photographed, and be of "good moral character. That process is just to be able to purchase firearms to store in a residence or business and not for a concealed carry permit.[3] There are six types of licenses: Blue, Business Protection; Yellow, Home protection and handguns only; Gray, farming and long guns only; White, all active law enforcement; Pink, current & retired law enforcement, personal protection, and special circumstances; Green, target shooting, sports use and home protection, in order to qualify you must be a member of a gun club.[4] In order to acquire a concealed carry permit, or "Pink" permit, a person must meet a specific set of criteria. In order to apply you must either be a government employee, valuable goods carrier, firearms manufacturer, or be a bona fide resident or business person of the islands. You must then present proof that you have good reason to fear death or great injury to your person or property and present at least two affidavits from credible persons attesting to that need.[5] Due to this process, in most cases concealed carry permit applications are given for all but the normal resident applicants who are frequently denied permits unless in grave circumstances.
References
- ↑ "U.S. Virgin Islands", Handgunlaw.us. Retrieved August 04, 2014.
- ↑ "Virgin Islands Gun Law Guide", Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Retrieved August 04, 2014.
- ↑ "Virgin Islands (US) — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law", Gunpolicy.org. Retrieved August 04, 2014.
- ↑ "Firearms Unit", Virgin Islands Police Department. Retrieved August 04, 2014.
- ↑ "Virgin Islands Concealed Carry Permit Information", USAcarry.com. Retrieved August 04, 2014.