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Virgin Islands (US) — Gun Facts, Figures and the LawStockpilesGun NumbersCivilian GunsBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Number of Privately Owned FirearmsThe estimated total number of guns (both licit and illicit) held by civilians in the Virgin Islands (US) is 2017: 18,0001 Rate of Civilian Firearm Possession per 100 PopulationThe estimated rate of private gun ownership (both licit and illicit) per 100 people in the Virgin Islands (US) is 2017: 16.601 Proportion of Adults Living in a Home With a GunIn the Virgin Islands (US), the percentage of adults living in a household with a firearm is reported to be 2001: 8.3%2 Government GunsBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Number of Law Enforcement FirearmsPolice in the Virgin Islands (US) are reported to have 3003 firearms ImpactsDeath and InjuryTotal Number of Gun DeathsBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Homicides (any method)Blue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.ChartIn the Virgin Islands (US), annual homicides by any means total 2015: 434 2012: 51 2011: 45 2010: 566 2009: 507 6 2008: 45 2007: 436 8 2006: 43 2005: 35 2004: 37 2003: 31 2002: 41 2001: 28 2000: 24 1999: 278 Rate of Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)Male Homicide Victims (any method)Rate of Male Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)Female Homicide Victims (any method)Gun HomicidesBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Handgun HomicidesBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Long Gun HomicidesBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Gun Homicides (Other)Blue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Suicides (any method)Blue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Gun SuicidesBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Unintentional Gun DeathsBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.ChartIn the Virgin Islands (US), annual unintentional shooting deaths total 2012: 04 2011: 1 2010: 35 2009: 3 Rate of Unintentional Gun Death per 100,000 PeopleUnintentional Male Gun DeathsRate of Unintentional Male Gun Death per 100,000 PeopleUnintentional Female Gun DeathsRate of Unintentional Female Gun Death per 100,000 PeopleIn the Virgin Islands (US), the annual rate of unintentional female shooting death per 100,000 population is 2010: 1.774 Gun Deaths from Undetermined CauseBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.Non-fatal Gun InjuriesBlue-superscript reference numbers which link to sources covering multiple years are only displayed beside the most recent year. Figures without a hyperlink can be found in the next reference above.TransfersGun Trade and TraffickingFirearm ExportsSmall Arms Exports (US$) - CustomsThe annual value of small arms and ammunition exports from the Virgin Islands (US) is reported by Customs to be US$31818 (1997) Regulation of Arms BrokersIn the Virgin Islands (US), the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are not specifically regulated by law21 End User CertificatesCustoms regulations in the Virgin Islands (US) do not include21 certification of the intended end user of any small arms or ammunition transfer, and/or a written declaration of its intended end use MeasuresGun RegulationFirearm Regulation - Guiding PolicyThe regulation of guns in the Virgin Islands (US) is categorised as restrictive22 Firearm LawGuiding gun control legislation in the Virgin Islands (US) includes the Virgin Islands (US) Code23 Firearm Regulation AuthorityGuns in the Virgin Islands (US) are regulated by the Commissioner of Police24 Gun Ownership and PossessionIn the Virgin Islands (US), only licensed gun owners14 28 29 30 31 24 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition Genuine Reason Required for Firearm PossessionApplicants for a gun owner’s licence in the Virgin Islands (US) are required to establish a genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example hunting and self-defence14 Minimum Age for Firearm PossessionThe minimum age for gun ownership in the Virgin Islands (US) is 16 years30 Gun Owner Background ChecksReference Required for Firearm LicenceIn the Virgin Islands (US), third party character references for each gun licence applicant are required14 Partner to be Advised or InterviewedIn the Virgin Islands (US), licensing authorities are not required21 to conduct interviews with, or to advise an applicant's spouse, partner, or next of kin before issuing a gun licence Domestic Violence and FirearmsWhere a past history, or apprehended likelihood of family violence exists, the law in the Virgin Islands (US) stipulates33 that a gun licence should be denied or revoked Firearm Safety TrainingIn the Virgin Islands (US), an understanding of firearm safety and the law, tested in a theoretical and/or practical training course is not required21 for a firearm licence Gun Owner Licensing PeriodIn the Virgin Islands (US), gun owners must re-apply and re-qualify for their firearm licence every three years (maximum)31 Licensing RecordsLimit on Number of GunsLicensed firearm owners in the Virgin Islands (US) are permitted to possess any number of firearms21 Limit on Quantity, Type of AmmunitionLicensed firearm owners in the Virgin Islands (US) are permitted to possess any quantity of ammunition21 Firearm RegistrationCivilian Gun RegistrationGun Dealer Record KeepingGun Sales and TransfersRegulation of Private Gun SalesRegulation of Dealer Gun SalesWaiting Period for Gun PossessionIn the Virgin Islands (US), the minimum wait for a lawful firearm purchase to be completed is 48 hours39 Regulation of Gun ShowsIn the Virgin Islands (US), gun shows and temporary firearm dealing events are not regulated21 in law Storage and Transport of Guns and AmmunitionFirearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - PrivateFirearm regulations in the Virgin Islands (US) include40 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of private firearms and ammunition by licensed gun owners Firearm and Ammunition Storage Regulations - DealerFirearm regulations in the Virgin Islands (US) include15 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition by licensed arms dealers Firearm and Ammunition Transport RegulationsRegulations in the Virgin Islands (US) do not include21 written specifications for the lawful safe storage of firearms and ammunition while in transit MeasuresInternational ControlsUnited Nations MembershipIn the UN List of Member States, the Virgin Islands (US) are not a Member State of the United Nations49 Wassenaar ArrangementThe Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls and Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies does not list50 the Virgin Islands (US) as a Participating State BackgroundSustainable Development Goal ProfileAbout SDG 16The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 goals set by the United Nations to be implemented by all member states by 2030. Adopted in 2015, they outline a vision of development in which peace and security are an integral part.
SDG 16,51 which seeks to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development,” includes targets and indicators focused on reducing violence (Target 16.1) and the proliferation of illicit arms (Target 16.4). The indicators – or measurement criteria – of these targets include the number of victims of intentional homicide (Indicator 16.1.1), the number of conflict-related deaths (Indicator 16.1.2), and the number of illicit firearms collected and traced (Indicator 16.4.2).
In light of these targets and indicators, GunPolicy.org provides granular national data pertaining to homicides, gun homicides, conflict deaths, disarmament efforts, and marking and tracing. Homicides (any method)ChartIn the Virgin Islands (US), annual homicides by any means total 2015: 434 2012: 51 2011: 45 2010: 566 2009: 507 6 2008: 45 2007: 436 8 2006: 43 2005: 35 2004: 37 2003: 31 2002: 41 2001: 28 2000: 24 1999: 278 Rate of Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)Male Homicide Victims (any method)Rate of Male Homicide per 100,000 People (any method)Female Homicide Victims (any method)Gun HomicidesDisarmamentFirearms Surrendered and SeizedDestruction and Disposal PolicyIn the Virgin Islands (US), it is state policy58 to destroy surplus, collected and seized firearms rather than return them to the secondary arms market Global Peace IndexTo see where the Virgin Islands (US) ranks, select the Link icon to open an external web page at the Global Peace Index, and then click on the Virgin Islands (US) on the map or in the "Select Country" menu on the right of the web page |
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