'It's unlikely business owners will have access to weapons'- Premier Wheatley
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), addressed a question regarding licenced firearms for business owners during Virgin Islands Voice on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
The Premier explained that internal security is currently under the jurisdiction of the governor.
"The United Kingdom's position, well-publicised position, is that they don't encourage gun ownership outside of the law enforcement agencies. Even the law enforcement agencies, they generally don't carry around guns with them; they have an armed response unit that would respond to incidents."
Business owners in the Virgin Islands have called for permission to carry firearms to protect their businesses from robberies and other offences, especially given the recent increase in gun-related crimes over the past two years.
Hon Wheatley acknowledged that while the United Kingdom has the authority to regulate gun ownership in the Virgin Islands, there should still be a conversation about this issue.
"But I think there's an argument, and there's a discussion that needs to be made about the level of gun ownership among businesses and private individuals," he said.
'The United Kingdom is responsible for that'- Premier
He further noted, "But persons should understand that the United Kingdom is responsible for that, and they have a well-publicised position, and it's unlikely that business owners will have access to weapons."
The Premier also mentioned that the process for obtaining gun licenses is challenging, stating, "Of course, we have a process where persons can apply for licenses, but it's been very difficult for persons to get licenses because of that position of the United Kingdom."
When asked if gun licences for business owners could be included in the constitution, Hon Wheatley responded, "Something like that, perhaps, wouldn't be in the constitution; who has responsibility for security would be in the constitution."
He emphasised his belief that security should fall under the control of the elected government rather than the United Kingdom and that he had put forward his position in the recent constitutional debate in the House of Assembly.
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9 Responses to “'It's unlikely business owners will have access to weapons'- Premier Wheatley”
That would be a death sentence to the BVI . He himself is a false witness for security of the region and does not follow protocols of his own office . Imagine the approach to law enforcement . He has several agencies under his tutelage and are still not what they should be and some worse off than police . This is a bad idea .
INDEPENDENCE = CORRUPTION - THE WILD WEST
Though I don’t recommend it.
But if you do choose to go that route, you’re gonna need to make sure your ER and Hospital is ready for it.
What is happening in the BVI now proves this point beyond any reasonable doubt; the criminals don't care about strict gun laws and are using those laws to their advantage. And for all of the fools here saying things like "more guns means more shootings," that is just not true (unless you're talking about the criminals who will use guns unlawfully anyhow), but it's a great talking point for those who are too stupid to distinguish between LAW ABIDING CITIZENS with guns, as opposed to CRIMINALS WITH GUNS. The reason my country is and will remain free is that armed citizens broke the back of Great Britain in battle after battle; yes, rough men with guns broke the will of England (and King George) and had they not been armed, the US would still be a colony. So for all of the blather I hear about "decolonisation," I just smirk, because all of you are choosing and allowing yourselves to be ruled by either street criminals and those elected to office.