[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6476722,"mediaKeyId","5717597-f7b7e96edcb336cfe78c196fa55ac41f","parentId",5717597,"title","Committee approves requirement for mandatory lethal‑weapon training for armed security guards and investigators","audioSeconds",26301,"startMs",2358000,"endMs",28659000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5717597-f7b7e96edcb336cfe78c196fa55ac41f&start=2358&end=28659","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5717597-f7b7e96edcb336cfe78c196fa55ac41f/thumbnail_2358000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6476722/Committee-approves-requirement-for-mandatory-lethalweapon-training-for-armed-security-guards-and-investigators","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476722-4bf21b27a84d834cb9338de5caeee9f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770524418&Signature=GYlgEaFqlimaINfnZ3F1nom4kdvEKljWS2py11SWnm5BXmuMsosE9~fUKmBC35JSMBOGrawfDS0P1-hDTmWXTiM4idc5X-XQGo4nr~plZggrfXjN6-OQJHEPAM2roQANsPY7C~-2EL9HM~KPAovC~Qd8YuKx4HGX6kVAZZISqPBuYo1P8jNSb1Ot8B66D5~I3pjwFfGQ5Ft3zApHcV0Fz~~1ouGqZriV8O6mbPn2-mnf~wcxjcFR3eawBXY8cAKKCIcuvaj32pzIG7MOsx~xJ6kzEevh8RZApPj71ibH8FeDvR9zrqaxe0devzsnVA1KWTl8TQQkSHl1XDJF34aFBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Virgin Islands Legislature","date","2025-09-04T21:48:28.097Z","article","The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety voted to forward Bill 36‑0136, sponsored by Senator Avery L. Lewis, which would require mandatory lethal‑weapon training, certification, periodic requalification and reporting for private security guards and investigators who carry firearms in the territory.

Sponsor testimony described the measure as a public‑safety and professional‑standards bill that would require scenario‑based training, use‑of‑force instruction, de‑escalation techniques, legal and ethical standards, and periodic re‑qualification. The bill provides waivers for active and retired law‑enforcement officers and sets fines and fees for certification and renewal.

The Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POSE), the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Attorney General’s office testified in strong support. POSE recommended specific curriculum components, psychological and physical fitness screening, and continuing education requirements. POSE and VIPD recommended setting minimum firearms proficiency hours (POSE referenced an 80‑hour firearms standard for comparability with existing post standards) and annual or periodic re‑qualification for use‑of‑force and firearms proficiency; they also recommended scenario‑based and life‑safety training (first aid/trauma response) and clear oversight by the commissioner of police or the VIPD training division.

The Attorney General’s office said territories may lawfully require licensing and training for armed private security and that the measure fits within common state practices, but suggested some reordering of statutory sections for clarity. Several senators said the proposal would strengthen public trust by ensuring private armed personnel meet professional standards.

The committee voted to approve the bill as moved; roll call recorded five yes votes and two absences. The bill will move to Rules and Judiciary for further drafting and implementation planning.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","09/04/2025 Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety","oneSentenceSummary","Bill 36‑0136 would require standardized training, certification and annual requalification for privately employed armed security guards and investigators; POSE, VIPD and the Attorney General supported the measure.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature, Virgin Islands","taxId",77876,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6476728,"Committee backs lowering commercial driver BAC standard, establishes stricter under‑age rule",26229,2280000,28509000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5717597-f7b7e96edcb336cfe78c196fa55ac41f&start=2280&end=28509","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5717597-f7b7e96edcb336cfe78c196fa55ac41f/thumbnail_2280000.jpg","/articles/6476728/Committee-backs-lowering-commercial-driver-BAC-standard-establishes-stricter-underage-rule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476728-de6ff38aa1ac528aea183b538adf27b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770524418&Signature=iAdXzAVbM0KEvK64zFj~NRN95FqAgSQzqve62gXoNUPQ~j78ONbYczg52xahwsX9ZXTx~92sws8Kf23z0STZnw9nvMlBMU8DkwZDnbt4~ZfeMteANpHx7eyfupz7Cg05Q8I96EHuTLX2vmfQbp8TdwKo3UBTJgRf2Moa0ppvyFJ-VnZmt2US2t02ULpnsg88GLdThFw3DY9cgxV5sk4MppAAO8i5LfHDpDySZ1DCCEhrfTmfz~4feBlul-AuE7LnXJwnTJ7-louebjWzH2UGTlvJKORGC~v~gYJvFk8H-kRzKyqX6gwXIt2e4zh-FIHgUs4~ZVVhwLa0exTz~DhUcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety voted to forward Bill 36‑0123, sponsored by Senator Ray Fonseca, which would make it unlawful for a person with a blood‑alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04% or greater to operate a commercial motor vehicle and would make it unlawful for drivers under age 21 to operate any motor vehicle with any detectable alcohol.

Witnesses from the Virgin Islands Police Department’s Office of Highway Safety and the Attorney General’s office supported the proposal and recommended stronger measures in some respects. VIPD testimony recommended considering a 0.00% standard for commercial vehicle operators and a 0.00% or 0.02% detectable limit for younger drivers, noting that commercial vehicles carry higher risk due to their size, weight and cargo. The Department of Justice advised the committee that aligning the local commercial standard with federal guidance is consistent with national practice and will reduce liability and enforcement confusion.

VIPD officials provided local crash data to justify action: between fiscal years 2020 and July 31, 2025, police records showed 453 drivers involved in crashes where alcohol or drugs were a contributing factor; VIPD detailed ongoing enforcement campaigns and noted that a substantial share of cases had no BAC reported or involved test refusals.

Amendment 36‑516 was adopted during the hearing to refine penalties and procedures, and the committee voted to approve the bill as amended. Roll call recorded five yes votes and two absences; the measure will be forwarded to Rules and Judiciary for further consideration and detailed drafting of enforcement procedure and public‑education funding.","Committee voted to forward Bill 36‑0123 to align the territory’s commercial driver blood‑alcohol limit with federal guidance (0.04%) and to prohibit any detectable alcohol for under‑21 drivers; VIPD recommended even stricter 0.00% for commercial drivers.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6476733,"Committee backs ban on some hemp‑derived intoxicants after health, licensing and law‑enforcement testimony",8682,14471000,23153000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5717597-f7b7e96edcb336cfe78c196fa55ac41f&start=14471&end=23153","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5717597-f7b7e96edcb336cfe78c196fa55ac41f/thumbnail_14471000.jpg","/articles/6476733/Committee-backs-ban-on-some-hempderived-intoxicants-after-health-licensing-and-lawenforcement-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476733-6948ee717c7ca2be8ad26d4125f4f642/orig.mp4?Expires=1770524418&Signature=WfNzN8EAcdJJ052hf23vvQru9dtrbHC05XoO~B86v-naG1SQk5yXFAqun3dKQtWsqjcnAksNe7pETtmI5vBCGLWzj0orfwv52rrG3FmnEgz3urVisiSTOtPeicPoub49Oe4pF4Vhcn6Z8OqvzL-ztXEl46lOVaKZVTM0Z1t~0pajSj9386ax-1o8lxv~pD7lr5DR2i8ncG1I1FqFhy1tWnSiX121Bar6VhjhxgDuX~exn9WXeIrgCfGA7ObIcbw8G38tku6FmhVvkGyVXFoKgTPeijZHzu1XE6WvYS3vkXeyPLOQydFFmk2PkOFB5i36cvMyhZGNJV68euPPy~t2Yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety voted to forward Bill 36‑0105, which would prohibit possession, sale and manufacture of certain hemp‑derived intoxicants including delta‑6, delta‑8, delta‑10 THC and decarboxylated THCA. Sponsor Senator Clifford A. Joseph Sr. and multiple territorial agencies said the products pose acute public‑health risks and are often packaged and marketed to appeal to children.

Health and safety witnesses — including Commissioner Justa Incarnacion and assistant commissioners from the Department of Health — told the committee that federal agencies have received thousands of adverse‑event reports tied to delta‑8 and similar compounds and that nearly half of those national poison‑control calls involve children. The Department of Health testified it can use existing food and public‑health authorities to embargo and remove unsafe products immediately and stood ready to implement enforcement protocols once the statute is finalized.

Licensing and consumer‑protection officials and the Industrial Hemp Commission supported the bill’s public‑health aims but urged clearer statutory definitions (for example, ‘‘chemically converted cannabinoids’’ and ‘‘intoxicating cannabinoid’’), mandatory third‑party testing and an interagency enforcement model that assigns explicit responsibilities to DLCA, DOH, VIPD and the Industrial Hemp Commission. Several agencies also recommended packaging and labeling requirements, child‑resistant packaging and prohibitions on marketing that mimics candy or snacks.

The Office of Cannabis Regulation submitted written support for stronger rules but warned of potential overlap with the Cannabis Use Act; the Attorney General’s office urged careful drafting to avoid conflicting jurisdictional language and said DOJ would defer to OCR and the Hemp Commission on technical matters.

Community and nonprofit witnesses urged the committee to pair prohibition with funding for prevention and merchant education; ARCH Institute urged directing some penalty revenues toward substance‑use prevention work and closing e‑commerce shipment loopholes.

The committee adopted an amendment to refine definitions and enforcement language during the hearing and then voted to approve the bill as amended. Roll call recorded five yes votes and two absences; the measure will go to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary for further consideration.","Bill 36‑0105 would prohibit delta‑6, delta‑8, delta‑10 and THCA products in the territory; agencies backed a ban but asked for clearer definitions, interagency enforcement and lab testing capacity.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6476737,"Senate committee forwards bill to ban assault-style rifles, suppressors and large-capacity magazines",10392,4032000,14424000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5717597-f7b7e96edcb336cfe78c196fa55ac41f&start=4032&end=14424","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5717597-f7b7e96edcb336cfe78c196fa55ac41f/thumbnail_4032000.jpg","/articles/6476737/Senate-committee-forwards-bill-to-ban-assault-style-rifles-suppressors-and-large-capacity-magazines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6476737-eab4eb4013dbf8f6f8924e9266e6a77a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770524418&Signature=jnulz4AzZWmNpXpHA8MggZNyY2BEQ-Sop94cvewrOFbQwX6BC1nygqqbBkxulLlbwkMY4Dvp7yoY6qLZa6dkaxUk7NTqq~c3-dx51WV6SeV1FBc3MDA45AdVJlcL70arMbo8BLShMkWOlD3b3qxGGsZ0x-rZQZP7gkfImrvEJxTgiqX7eR8SUKzB~ivtqwUjr5WDBLUukO~vu5yPoLb3R3sXWZ9PXBaeu3xrOYTGuWsXNvylJLx8TCsS0uHf2lK456DB-tJObqLxiSWDHhq8iJPZe9lsUb98Xw01S9y9H6HuUmZfUGNHRkgZXeQ2kAjKPsSfWT8OYVSdgvreX-7VFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety of the 36th Legislature voted to forward Bill 36‑0144, as amended, to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary after testifying officials urged changes to clarify definitions and enforcement. Sponsor Senator Clifford A. Joseph Sr. introduced the measure and said it aims to ban ‘‘weapons of war’’ from the territory’s streets while preserving lawful firearm ownership.

The bill would add a statutory definition of ‘‘assault rifles,’’ prohibit civilian possession of suppressors and silencers, establish safety-training requirements for licensed rifle and shotgun holders, and restrict large-capacity ammunition magazines. Joseph said the measure would not prevent licensed owners from keeping firearms for home protection but would prevent concealed carry of the weapons addressed in the bill.

Testimony supporting the bill came from Assistant Commissioner Sean A. Santos Sr. of the Virgin Islands Police Department, Attorney General Gordon Ray, and Antonio Emmanuel, executive director of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The VIPD and Department of Justice cited local crime-scene evidence and federal and appellate rulings they said support limits on particularly lethal accessories; the attorney general emphasized the territory’s authority to regulate arms consistent with constitutional precedent.

Santos urged a law that makes clear definitions and enforcement pathways, and asked the committee to consider exemptions and implementation timelines for law enforcement and military personnel. The attorney general and VIPD repeatedly highlighted large-capacity magazines as a pressing local issue: officials said investigators have recovered crime scenes with 20–30 casings consistent with a single magazine and showed images of extended and drum magazines to the committee.

Some witnesses asked the committee to narrow certain prohibitions. VIPD testimony suggested allowing possession limited to home protection and licensed ranges as an alternative to a full ban, and proposed replacing a mandatory surrender provision with a buyback or transfer pathway. The sponsor said he would offer amendments to address exemptions for law enforcement and the military and to clarify language.

The committee adopted an amendment (Alpha Amendment 36‑526) during the hearing and then voted to approve the bill as amended. Roll call recorded five yes votes and two absences; the committee chair said the bill will be forwarded to Rules and Judiciary for further consideration.

The measure drew sustained attention from the committee and multiple territorial agencies; proponents said the law is intended to give law enforcement clearer tools for tracking sales and trafficking of accessories, while opponents and some committee members cautioned about the need for precise statutory definitions to avoid unintended effects on lawful owners.

The committee’s favorable vote sends the bill to the Rules and Judiciary Committee, where sponsors and staff said further drafting and cross‑agency implementation details will be addressed.","The Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety voted to forward Bill 36‑0144, which would define and prohibit so-called assault rifles, ban suppressors and large-capacity magazines, and require safety training for certain firearm licenses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves requirement for mandatory lethal‑weapon training for armed security guards and investigators

Committee backs lowering commercial driver BAC standard, establishes stricter under‑age rule

Committee backs ban on some hemp‑derived intoxicants after health, licensing and law‑enforcement testimony

Senate committee forwards bill to ban assault-style rifles, suppressors and large-capacity magazines