Gun Rights Groups Sue US Virgin Islands Over Concealed Carry

Gun Owners of America and the Gun Owners Foundation filed a federal lawsuit this week against the U.S. Virgin Islands government and its police commissioner, seeking to allow nonresidents to obtain licenses for carrying concealed handguns within the territory. The lawsuit highlights the case of Florida resident Sean Dale Henry, a member of Gun Owners of America, who reportedly attempted multiple times to contact the U.S. Virgin Islands police department to apply for a license but was unable to reach them. The plaintiffs argue that the inability to connect with authorities underscores the necessity for individuals to carry firearms for self-defense.

The legal challenge asserts that constitutional rights, including those protected by the Second Amendment, do not cease to apply when U.S. citizens travel to or reside in U.S. territories. Luis Valdes, the U.S. Virgin Islands’ outreach director for Gun Owners of America, stated that Americans should not forfeit their constitutional rights simply by visiting a U.S. territory. Henry plans to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands multiple times in the coming months and wishes to carry a concealed firearm for personal protection during these visits.

This marks the second legal action concerning Second Amendment rights involving the U.S. Virgin Islands government and its police commissioner. In December, the U.S. Justice Department initiated a lawsuit, alleging that the territory systematically denied American citizens their right to possess and carry firearms. The Justice Department's suit cited local statutes requiring applicants to prove a "good reason to fear death or great injury" and to have "two credible persons" attest to their need for a firearm. At that time, the U.S. Virgin Islands government stated its commitment to upholding constitutional rights while prioritizing public safety.