The USVI situation is one of those things that sounds like it can't be real until you actually look into it. Not "we'll deny your application" — they won't even let you apply. That's not a permitting system, that's a wall with a sign on it.

"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."

The plaintiff here is an FFL holder with a valid Florida CWL — this isn't a gray area case. GOA picked this one carefully, and after watching them force California and New York to accept nonresident applications, I'd say the USVI picked the wrong fight to dig in on.

What's interesting is the timing — they repealed their limited reciprocity law after Bruen, which tells you exactly how seriously they took the ruling. The federal courts have been less patient with that kind of response than the territories apparently expected.

Anyone traveled to St. Thomas or the other USVI islands with a firearm, or had to make the call to leave your carry gun home because of this? Curious what that trip planning actually looks like for people who normally carry daily.

Read the full article in The Handbook → | By Steve Duskett