Dreaming of relocating....

If anybody wants to help reduce crime, one easy way is to become a dues-paying member of Crime Stoppers USVI. It's a very effective program which launched here in January 2009.

Good for you STXBob for DOING something rather than just complaining about crime and that "they" never do anything about it. Aren't we collectively all "they"? Until we become involved "they" will never change.

hi there,

Glad you found this message board - it will be a source of great info for you. I hope you will allow me to help you when / if you decide to come....I've enjoyed our email exchanges....

Kim Lucas
kim@email.vi

Bob, everyone should support crime stoppers. It has made a noticeable difference. I do.

What are the gun laws like down there? Here in Alaska I can carry just about anywhere with no permit required.

Reply Quote Report

Bombi [ PM ]
Re: crime in usvi
September 24, 2010 09:00AMRegistered: 3 years ago
Posts: 1,372
There you go>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

454. Persons who may be licensed to carry firearms

A firearm may be lawfully had, possessed, borne, transported or carried in the Virgin Islands by the following persons, provided a license for such purpose has been issued by the Commissioner in accordance with the provisions of this chapter:

(1) An officer or employee of the Government of the Virgin Islands in cases where such license, in the judgment of the Commissioner, should be issued to such officer or employee by reason of the duties of his position;

(2) An agent, messenger or other employee of a common carrier, bank or business firm, whose duties require him to protect money, valuables or other property in the discharge of his duties; And provided, That the employer of such person shall have justified to the satisfaction of the Commissioner the need for the issuance of the license;

(3) A person having a bona fide residence or place of business within the Virgin Islands, who established to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that he has good reason to fear death or great injury to his person or property, or who establishes any other proper reason for carrying a firearm, and the circumstances of the case, established by affidavit of the applicant and of at least two credible persons, demonstrate the need for such license;

(4) A person licensed to and actively engaged in the business of manufacturing, repairing or dealing in firearms in the Virgin Islands, or the agents or representatives of any such person, having necessity to handle or use firearms in the usual or ordinary course of business;

(5) With respect to a rifle or a shotgun a person possessing a valid and current Virgin Islands hunting license.

—Amended July 11, 1968, No. 2279, § 1, Sess. L. 1968, Pt. II, p. 209.

§ 453. Persons who may lawfully carry firearms

(a) The following persons, in the discharge of their official duties, and in accordance with and subject to the conditions and restrictions imposed by the laws and regulations applicable to their conduct, may lawfully have, possess, bear, transport and carry firearms in the Virgin Islands:

(1) Members of the Armed Forces of the United States or of the organized reserves.

(2) Officers and employees of the United States duly authorized by Federal law to carry firearms.

(3) Persons employed in fulfilling defense contracts with the United States Government or agencies thereof where possession or use of firearms is necessary under the provisions of such contracts.

(4) Members of the police force of the Virgin Islands, marshals, or other duly authorized peace officers.

(5) Penitentiary and jail wardens and guards.

(b) The persons authorized by subsection (a) of this section lawfully to have, possess, bear, transport and carry firearms shall obtain such weapons and ammunition therefor only through the duly authorized officers or heads of their respective services or departments.

—Amended July 11, 1968, No. 2279, § 1, Sess. L. 1968, Pt. II, p. 209.

Thanks... Any idea what the general laws are for self defence? Here in Alaska if someone breaks into my home I can use deadly force in defence of life or property. In otherwords if there there to rob me I can defend my property with a firearm. Don't nessassarily have to fear for my life...

Doesn't sound like I could transport a firearm in my glove box there.

Don't mean to sound like some crazy Alaska gun nut... We have a 105 lb german shapard for protection! 🙂

There was a case within the last 3-4 years of a condo-owner shooting someone who entered her home. But, in general terms, I'd be darn sure I had no other option, my life was in danger, and my weapon was properly licensed. Otherwise you might find yourself in as much, if not more trouble than your assailant.

I thought this was interesting about gun laws and visitor perceptions: http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/texas-man-arrested-at-airport-on-gun-charges-1.1062440

I didn't realize you can get a hunting license, shotgun is good enough for home protection, um I mean hunting. Anyone here ever get one?
-D

I find this interesting as well. You can legally fly here with a gun but cannot leave with it unless you turn it in until you get it registered. There are no checks and balances. You can legally fly here with a gun and you can leave without the gun. No one checks. How do guns get imported to the VI? There are a lot of illegal guns here and it is very easy to bring them here. Another thought. It is easy to bring guns here but hard to get them registered. We have a high crime rate but a low rate of registered gun owners. How many gun owners don't register their guns? Many. The advice people get upon moving here is that if you register your guns, if you can because it is so hard, will make you a target for home invasion. That in itself is very intimidating. Makes you think that someone in the police department lets someone who will invade your home know that you have a gun. So what to do? People move here or come here to work, bring their legally registered guns from their home states and don't register their guns, however if they use them to defend their lives they may go to prison because they didn't register their guns.

None of this makes sense to me.

Hunting? Where (and what) would one hunt here? It doesn't seem like there's enough open space, and the deer are rather small...