Acting Commissioner Urges Firearms Debate
Acting Police Commissioner Richard Ullger says renewed calls for allowing business owners to carry licensed firearms warrant an open public debate, though he personally opposes the idea. Ullger told the Talking Points radio programme that strengthening police capacity and visible policing should be the priority to reduce violent crime and the perceived need for armed civilians.
Acting Police Commissioner Richard Ullger says calls from parts of the business community for permission to carry licensed firearms deserve an open public discussion, but he personally does not support letting business owners arm themselves. Speaking on the Talking Points radio programme, Ullger said a public debate would let stakeholders weigh differing perspectives and make informed decisions before any policy change is considered. "I think there needs to be a debate about it, yes," he told listeners, while adding, "Personally, I wouldn’t want to see it." The comments come amid renewed concern about violent offences in the Virgin Islands and an uptick in incidents involving firearms.
Business operators have argued that an armed presence could deter robberies and attacks. Ullger acknowledged these anxieties but warned that permitting wider civilian access to weapons carries significant risks. Ullger, who is serving on an extended interim appointment, argued that the priority should be strengthening the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force’s capacity and visibility. "What we need to be doing is have an adequate police force to make sure that criminals feel threatened to be operating in the Virgin Islands," he said, noting that effective policing could remove the perceived need for business owners to maintain an armed presence.
Under current law, firearm possession in the BVI is tightly regulated, and unlicensed weapons remain a major law-enforcement concern. Ullger cautioned that while overall reported crime in the territory is comparatively low by regional standards, when violent crimes occur they tend to be severe.
That pattern, he said, underscores the need to carefully weigh any change in firearms policy against broader public-safety implications. The debate raises practical questions for policy-makers: if civilian licensing were expanded, how would training, certification, storage, oversight and accountability be enforced?
How would licensed firearms affect incidents of escalation during robberies or disputes? Ullger pointed to community cooperation, sustained resource deployment and visible policing as safer long-term strategies. Community leaders, business associations and elected officials now face decisions about whether to push for formal consultations or legislative reviews.
Ullger’s call for a public debate signals an opening for wider consultation across the BVI — one that will need to balance business fears, public-safety data, policing resources and the risks of increased civilian armament.
Primary source: BVI News