In San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation have filed a lawsuit against the government of the U.S. Virgin Islands and its police commissioner. The case highlights ongoing disputes over the interpretation and enforcement of Second Amendment rights.
The groups seek a federal court decision allowing nonresidents to obtain licenses to carry concealed handguns in the U.S. territory. This legal action follows attempts by Florida resident Sean Dale Henry, affiliated with Gun Owners of America, to secure a concealed carry license from the U.S. Virgin Islands’ police department.
“Henry has been unable to get the USVI police to so much as pick up the telephone,” the lawsuit claims, emphasizing the need for self-defense.
The government of the U.S. Virgin Islands has not yet responded to requests for comments on the lawsuit. According to the filed case, Henry intends to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands shortly and wants to bring a concealed firearm for personal protection during his trips.
Luis Valdes, U.S. Virgin Islands’ outreach director for Gun Owners of America, stated, “The Second Amendment doesn’t end at the shoreline. Americans don’t lose their constitutional rights simply because they travel to a U.S. territory.”
This is not the first legal challenge faced by the U.S. Virgin Islands concerning gun rights. In December, the U.S. Justice Department took legal action against the territory. The suit claimed local laws made it difficult for American citizens to possess and carry firearms, citing strict requirements for proving the need for self-defense and obtaining personal references.
The U.S. Virgin Islands countered the federal accusations in February by maintaining its dedication to constitutional rights balanced with public safety needs. The territory criticized the U.S. government for its alleged practices and patterns in law enforcement, claiming they undermine individual rights guaranteed by several constitutional amendments.
The lawsuit brought by Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation adds to the complexity of the ongoing legal discussions, which are yet to be resolved in court.
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