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U.S. Virgin Islands Legislature Passes Strict Gun-Control Bill, DOJ Lawsuit Looms
On Friday, the U.S. Virgin Islands Legislature approved Bill 36‑0144, a sweeping new gun‑control package that bans AR‑15‑style rifles, suppressors, and high‑capacity magazines while still permitting concealed carry in public. The measure also requires safety training for licensed rifle and shotgun owners and now heads to the governor’s desk for signature.
The bill followed months of debate. The Virgin Islands Consortium reported that the legislation mandates safety training for licensed rifle and shotgun holders, a detail that has drawn strong opposition from gun‑rights advocates who argue it imposes unnecessary burdens on law‑abiding citizens. Kosei Ohno, founder of Virgin Islands Safe Gun Owners, said the bill “burdens law‑abiding people who register, train, pay, wait, and try to obey.”
Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea defended the bill, stating that it was written to protect the constitutional rights of law‑abiding Virgin Islanders to keep and bear arms. He also highlighted that the bill allows concealed carry in public and gives police greater authority to keep illegal firearms out of the wrong hands.
Bill 36‑0144 is part of a broader effort by the territory to tighten gun regulations. Although the U.S. Virgin Islands is an unincorporated U.S. territory with its own legislature and legal system, federal laws and constitutional protections—including the Second Amendment—apply.
The legislation’s passage comes amid an ongoing legal challenge. On June 10, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division filed a lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction against the territory’s firearm licensing scheme, alleging that the licensing process violates civil‑rights protections. No decision has yet been made on whether the DOJ will file a second lawsuit if Bill 36‑0144 is signed into law.
The bill’s provisions are clear: it bans the sale, possession, and use of AR‑15‑style rifles, suppressors, and magazines that can hold more than 15 rounds; it requires that individuals holding a license for rifles or shotguns complete a safety training program; and it explicitly allows concealed carry in public.
Opponents argue that the restrictions are overbroad and that the existing licensing scheme already imposes significant hurdles, pointing to the DOJ lawsuit as evidence that the current system may be unconstitutional. Supporters counter that the new restrictions are necessary for public safety and do not infringe on constitutional rights.
The bill’s future hinges on the governor’s decision. If signed, it will become law and could prompt additional legal action from the DOJ. The legislature has already taken steps to address the licensing scheme, but the outcome of the lawsuit remains uncertain.
The debate reflects a national conversation about gun control and the balance between individual rights and public safety. The U.S. Virgin Islands’ move to restrict certain firearms and ammunition comes at a time when other jurisdictions are also revisiting their gun‑control policies.
As the bill moves forward, residents, law‑enforcement officials, and advocacy groups will watch closely to see how the new regulations are implemented and whether the DOJ’s lawsuit will influence the final outcome.
The Legislature’s decision to pass Bill 36‑0144 marks a significant moment in the territory’s gun‑control history and sets the stage for further legal and political developments in the coming months.
The bill followed months of debate. The Virgin Islands Consortium reported that the legislation mandates safety training for licensed rifle and shotgun holders, a detail that has drawn strong opposition from gun‑rights advocates who argue it imposes unnecessary burdens on law‑abiding citizens. Kosei Ohno, founder of Virgin Islands Safe Gun Owners, said the bill “burdens law‑abiding people who register, train, pay, wait, and try to obey.”
Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea defended the bill, stating that it was written to protect the constitutional rights of law‑abiding Virgin Islanders to keep and bear arms. He also highlighted that the bill allows concealed carry in public and gives police greater authority to keep illegal firearms out of the wrong hands.
Bill 36‑0144 is part of a broader effort by the territory to tighten gun regulations. Although the U.S. Virgin Islands is an unincorporated U.S. territory with its own legislature and legal system, federal laws and constitutional protections—including the Second Amendment—apply.
The legislation’s passage comes amid an ongoing legal challenge. On June 10, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division filed a lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction against the territory’s firearm licensing scheme, alleging that the licensing process violates civil‑rights protections. No decision has yet been made on whether the DOJ will file a second lawsuit if Bill 36‑0144 is signed into law.
The bill’s provisions are clear: it bans the sale, possession, and use of AR‑15‑style rifles, suppressors, and magazines that can hold more than 15 rounds; it requires that individuals holding a license for rifles or shotguns complete a safety training program; and it explicitly allows concealed carry in public.
Opponents argue that the restrictions are overbroad and that the existing licensing scheme already imposes significant hurdles, pointing to the DOJ lawsuit as evidence that the current system may be unconstitutional. Supporters counter that the new restrictions are necessary for public safety and do not infringe on constitutional rights.
The bill’s future hinges on the governor’s decision. If signed, it will become law and could prompt additional legal action from the DOJ. The legislature has already taken steps to address the licensing scheme, but the outcome of the lawsuit remains uncertain.
The debate reflects a national conversation about gun control and the balance between individual rights and public safety. The U.S. Virgin Islands’ move to restrict certain firearms and ammunition comes at a time when other jurisdictions are also revisiting their gun‑control policies.
As the bill moves forward, residents, law‑enforcement officials, and advocacy groups will watch closely to see how the new regulations are implemented and whether the DOJ’s lawsuit will influence the final outcome.
The Legislature’s decision to pass Bill 36‑0144 marks a significant moment in the territory’s gun‑control history and sets the stage for further legal and political developments in the coming months.
