Gun Owners of America Sues U.S. Virgin Islands Over Unconstitutional Ban on Nonresident Right to Bear Arms  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

July 20, 2026 

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, USVI — Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the U.S. Virgin Islands’ prohibition on nonresidents exercising their Second Amendment rights. 

The lawsuit argues the USVI has created one of the nation’s most restrictive firearm licensing schemes by refusing to recognize out-of-state concealed carry permits while barring nonresidents from applying for a USVI carry license. 

The case builds on GOA’s successful litigation ending unconstitutional residency restrictions in California and New York. GOA previously secured legal victories allowing qualified nonresidents to apply for concealed carry permits in those states. 

The complaint states that after the Supreme Court’s decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen, the USVI repealed its limited reciprocity law, leaving nonresidents with no lawful way to carry for self-defense. GOA argues the residency requirement violates the Second and Fourteenth Amendments and asks the court to require the territory to accept applications from qualified nonresidents. 

The plaintiff in this case is a law-abiding American who holds a valid Florida Concealed Weapon License, is a Federal Firearms Licensee, and meets every qualification for a USVI carry license except residency. Despite planning to travel to St. Thomas, USVI law bars him from even applying. 

Luis Valdes, USVI Outreach Director for Gun Owners of America and National Co-Chair of Fuerza 2A, issued the following statement: 

“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 USVI has created a system where law-abiding citizens are categorically denied the ability to exercise a fundamental constitutional right based solely on where they live. That’s not how constitutional rights work in America, and we’re asking the federal courts to put an end to this blatant violation.“ 

GOA spokesmen are available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization representing over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center. 

-GOA-