The Justice Department has initiated legal action against the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) for allegedly violating the Second Amendment. The complaint highlights unreasonable delays and excessive conditions imposed on law-abiding gun owners seeking permits.
Key Allegations Against VIPD
According to the complaint, numerous applicants have reported significant delays in obtaining gun permits. Additionally, VIPD has enforced unreasonable conditions, such as requiring bolted-in gun safes before issuing licenses. This practice raises constitutional concerns regarding the right to bear arms.
Inconsistent Regulations
The lawsuit emphasizes that VIPD continues to implement a “proper cause” regulation similar to one recently invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen (2022). This prior ruling determined that law enforcement could not deny gun permits based solely on a lack of “proper cause” reasoning.
Statements from Officials
- Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General, stated, “This Civil Rights Division will protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.”
- U.S. Attorney Adam Sleeper noted that “the territory’s firearms licensing laws and practices are inconsistent with the Second Amendment.”
Both officials emphasized the importance of ensuring timely decisions for permit applications without unconstitutional barriers. The ongoing enforcement of the unconstitutional “proper cause” regulation is a key focus of the lawsuit.
Complaints from Residents
Residents of the Virgin Islands have voiced concerns regarding not only the delays but also unreasonable police searches linked to the permitting process. These practices have drawn parallels to previously deemed abusive permitting requirements by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Next Steps in the Lawsuit
The lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court of the Virgin Islands. The Civil Rights Division is actively working to enforce the Second Amendment, alongside related laws and executive orders aimed at ensuring fair treatment for gun owners.
Individuals who are currently facing challenges with their gun permit applications, such as unreasonably long processing times or excessive requirements, can file a complaint via justice.gov/crt/second-amendment-section to seek assistance.
