Calls Renewed for Business Firearm Licences
The BVI Chamber of Commerce is urging the Government to consider issuing tightly controlled firearm licences to vulnerable business owners after a recent wave of brazen robberies in Road Town and nearby communities. The proposal, raised on the Talking Points radio programme by Chamber chairman Sinclair Flemming, has drawn debate about public safety, policing capacity and the risks of expanding civilian access to guns.
Calls for business owners to be granted licensed firearms have resurfaced as Road Town and surrounding communities grapple with a rise in daring daytime robberies. Sinclair Flemming, chairman of the BVI Chamber of Commerce, raised the issue during this week’s Talking Points radio programme, saying many operators are increasingly fearful as attacks on retailers and workers appear to be escalating. "One of the biggest deterrents is giving business owners actual projectile weapons to be able to defend themselves and their businesses," he said.
Recent incidents include several brazen robberies in busy commercial areas of the capital. At least one jewellery store was targeted twice within a year, a fact that has heightened concerns among shop owners, staff and customers who say they feel exposed when suspects are prepared to use violence.
Flemming told listeners the Chamber is not calling for a "gun-touting society" but for a tightly controlled system that would allow properly vetted licences and other forms of self-defence for people deemed most at risk. "I think one of the major issues is that the person doing the illegal activity knows that you have nothing at your side or in your position that can deter them in any way, shape or form," he said.
Talking Points host Damion Grange pushed back, warning that increasing civilian access to firearms has coincided with higher levels of gun violence in other countries. The debate highlights a tension in the Territory: residents and business owners want immediate protection, while critics warn of long-term public safety trade-offs.
Flemming said the Chamber has engaged police leadership. "When we did meet with the Acting Commissioner, I was happy to hear that they did review some (firearm licence requests), approved a few, and are looking into some more. Obviously, it's less than the percentage that we want to see, but I'm happy to see that it's being at least looked at.
We've advocated for nonlethal weapons as well," he added. Residents continue to call for stronger policing, faster arrests and more public information on investigations. Police have so far released limited details about suspects or ongoing cases. Community leaders say any change to firearm policy would need strict vetting, mandatory training, secure storage requirements and complementary measures such as improved lighting, CCTV, alarm response and better-resourced policing to protect both businesses and the wider public.
Primary source: BVI News