Government

Bryan Signs Firearms Reform Bill, Approves Education, Recreation and Public Employee Measures

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has signed Bill No. 36-0144 into law, approving a major overhaul of the territory’s firearm licensing and registration framework after months of local opposition, a federal veto request from U.S. Senator Mike Lee, and continued legal scrutiny surrounding the Second Amendment and suppressor restrictions. The firearm legislation, identified by the V.I. Department of Justice as the “2026 Second Amendment Rights and Public Safety Act,” modernizes the territory’s firearm licensing and registration laws and brings them into conformity with recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings, according to Government House. The measure removes subjective discretion from the firearm licensing process, establishes clearer standards and simplifies licensing and registration requirements for lawful gun owners. Governor Bryan said the update was necessary to preserve effective firearm regulation while protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding residents. “This is a common-sense ...