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