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Virgin Islands committee advances bill to establish annual Gun Violence Awareness Week
Summary
The Government Operations Committee voted to forward legislation establishing an annual Virgin Islands Gun Violence Awareness Week to the Rules and Judiciary Committee after testimony from the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and discussion among senators.
The Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs and Consumer Protection voted June 23 to report favorably a bill to designate a Virgin Islands Gun Violence Awareness Week, to begin the Monday before the first Friday in June. Sponsor Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr. introduced the measure as an action-oriented observance tied to national awareness efforts.
The bill, introduced by Senator Angel L. Bocas Jr., would add section 200M to Title 1, Chapter 11 of the Virgin Islands Code to declare the week beginning the Monday before the first Friday in June as Virgin Islands Gun Violence Awareness Week. “This bill is not ceremonial. It is a call to remembrance, a call to intervention, and a call to action,” Bocas said during his presentation, citing recent shootings across the territory and urging a “long term holistic approach” to violence prevention.
The Office of Gun Violence Prevention’s executive director, Antonio Emmanuel, testified in support. He described ongoing year‑round outreach and prevention work and said a designated week would “help influence government agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders to focus on creating effective outreach, public service announcements, educational programs, activities or events that deter violence and assist victims.” Emmanuel described programs that range from de‑escalation training and school outreach to summer camps and community partnerships.
Committee members spoke at length about causes and responses. Senator Noble Francis Jr., Senator Franklin D. Johnson and others emphasized prevention, family and community engagement, and youth programming. Senator Ray Fonseca and others noted the fiscal and human costs of firearm violence and urged a communitywide response. Several senators cited recent homicide counts discussed during the hearing; the numbers reported in the meeting included different tallies (Senator Bocas referenced 18 homicides as of mid‑June 2025; the clerk later cited a VIPD figure of 9 in Saint Thomas, 10 in Saint Croix and 2 in Saint John). Those differing counts were discussed on the record during the hearing.
Action: Senator Carla J. Joseph moved to favorably report the bill and forward it to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary; the motion was seconded and approved by recorded roll call. The clerk recorded seven yeas and no nays. The committee’s favorable vote sends the bill to Rules and Judiciary for further consideration.
Why it matters: Senators described the proposal as an added tool to concentrate outreach, coordinate agency and non‑profit activity and provide visible support for survivors. Supporters framed the week as intended to elevate prevention and community‑healing programs while emphasizing that the Office of Gun Violence Prevention will continue its work year‑round.
The committee also received correspondence from Police Commissioner Mario M. Brooks expressing departmental support though he could not attend in person. The office and senators said the week would be used to coordinate events such as vigils, forums, and community service activities, and to highlight existing services like emergency rental and homeowner assistance mentioned earlier in the hearing.
The committee’s report will move the bill to the Rules and Judiciary Committee, which will determine next steps in the legislative process.
