Premier promises stronger gun laws amid rising firearm concerns
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has announced plans to strengthen gun laws in the British Virgin Islands, particularly concerning gun possession and access to high-powered weapons.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, March 21, Dr Wheatley revealed that the National Security Council (NSC) is actively discussing strategies to enhance security within the community.
“We have to strengthen our laws, particularly gun laws,” the Premier stated. “That’s something I am going to champion—stricter regulations on gun possession, especially concerning the heavy weaponry that very young persons now have access to. We’re seeing young individuals with AR-15s.”
Dr Wheatley emphasised the need for a collective community effort and referenced the upcoming Crime Summit, scheduled for later this month.
“It’s going to be a comprehensive review, which is why we are holding a Crime Summit—to bring all stakeholders together for critical discussions on addressing this new wave of youth-driven crime in the Virgin Islands,” he said.
Although the Premier has indicated the summit will take place this month, an official date has yet to be announced.
Earlier this month, Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool raised concerns over the increasing number of illegal firearms and ammunition recovered so far this year.
“Although we are just ten weeks into the year, we have already recovered more rounds of ammunition than there are days in the year,” Vanterpool stated.
She commended the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) for its dedication but stressed that the rise in illegal firearms poses a serious threat to public safety.
With the latest seizures, the total number of firearms recovered this year now stands at eight. This comes just a week after the RVIPF arrested three individuals and seized two firearms during investigations into recent robberies.
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Use UK Constables right out of training. 6 month rotation. non biased and have no ties here. Just like they do on Saba. the law should be the same for everyone, its not at this point.
Governor are you seeing the direction of the BVI and crime…
the usvi just had a gun buy back program on STX and STT and a good number of guns were taken off the streets no questions asked..think this should be done and after that let the hammer drop on anything caught with a gun
You just move here, how much time they had something similar without the buy back but the amnesty.
das why they need to add the money to it have people that would turn in their old guns might not get the ones with the switches but something better than nothing
I get the need to crack down on illegal guns and keep our community safe, but law-abiding citizens with no criminal record should still have the right to own guns. Responsible gun ownership is about protecting yourself and your family, and it can help prevent crime. Let’s focus on getting rid of illegal weapons without punishing the people who follow the law.
@John Wick, all your idea will do is make it worse here with more guns in the territory legal or not. You also seem to forget owning a gun legally does not give you the right to use it. You use it, you are still liable to a criminal investigation if it results in injury to another. That is the case even if you own it legally!
That’s ok, honest people don’t mind being investigated.
Maybe those who rob pressure would’ve been getting buried next week.
Your comment is idiotic. LAWFUL gun owners, subjected to strict regulation, will NOT enhance gun crime – just the opposite. The BVI’s idiotic laws prove the old adage that “if you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns.”
The BVI needs to censure or impeach judges that reduce sentences for unlawful possession of a firearm. In a recent case, a judge utilised his “discretion” to drastically pare down the supposedly “mandatory” sentence that was to be imposed upon a convicted man. As long as the BVI tolerates that, gun crime will not decrease.
Solution: allow citizens to arm themselves after rigorous background checks and passing a competency test (must obtain a certain score on a shooting test). Also require storage in a safe when at home and the firearm is not under the immediate control of the owner (same in an automobile). Strict liability for anyone who does not secure their firearm (loss of licence and a hefty fine). Anyone convicted of possession of an illegal firearm gets 5 years – NO PLEA BARGAINING allowed an NO JUDICIAL DISCRETION TO REDUCE THE SENTENCE.
why not just enforce the laws already in the books, if they are found in possesion of a gun they are given 5 years, no bail, do not pass go , go to jail, and a year for every bullet added to the sentence there are already law the judges just do not give these MANDATORY sentences out when they should, it will make them think twice.
Exactly….Enforce the law in place but hey that’s too easy… Let’s complicate things so they can be put off again and again!
Mr primary u bring a murderer on stage with him, w* have the most guns and paying to kill the most. Miss Jackie send your cops to N* house he show 2 chip out Glock
So more laws for the magistrate them to give the weakest sentence available with bail
Stronger gun laws to have more party’s with artist that sings about guns,fast life, drugs and money lol
Even funnier when our local rappers get on stage with them big chain that could pay a 4bedroom rent locally
Yea premier you on the right track I guess