VIPD Looks at Strengthening Local Gun Laws to Cut Down on Crimes
Out of 20 homicides territory-wide since January, arrests have been made in nine of the cases, according to the V.I. Police Department’s top brass, who said during a press conference Tuesday that more public input is needed to help close the remainder — particularly from witnesses on the scene, or close friends and family.
2023-06-14 14:09:16 - VI News Staff
The press conference comes on the heels of two shootings this month — one in each district — that left two minors dead. On St. Croix, Police are still investigating but are close to solving the murder of 16-year-old Aman Lewis, while on St. Thomas, the case relating to the death of 16-year-old Leroy Cornelius, Jr. — who investigators said was armed and killed after brandishing his weapon — is currently with the Attorney General’s Office, according to the police district chiefs.
While pleading with the public to report any information on open cases to the department, VIPD said it was taking a stronger approach to weeding out the guns that are permeating the streets, including finding ways to put more teeth in local gun laws. St. Croix Police Chief Sean Santos Sr. said strong partnerships with federal agencies at open borders and airports are helping to get guns registered after they are declared in the states while also seeking to eliminate gun parts that are being shipped in.
Gun laws on the mainland, particularly in Florida, where a majority of gun kits and parts are coming from, are lax, officials added, and the reality is pieces are still getting through. That’s why VIPD said it’s working with local senators to construct legislation — which they said is intricate and must not impede on citizens’ constitutional rights — that could make even obtaining or selling the parts illegal, except for those handled by a federally licensed handler, according to Santos. Gun businesses, where parts are sent in, assembled in the territory, and sold, are resulting in more firearms on the streets that are easily accessible, he added.