VIRGIN ISLAND vs GUNS

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OLDNAVYMCPO

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According to the " Daily Caller", Gov. Kenneth Mapp of the U.S. Virgin Islands, signed an emergency order allowing the seizure of private guns, ammo, explosives and property that the National Guard may need to respond to Hurricane Irma. The order allows the Adj Gen of the Virgin Islands to seize property necessary to protect the islands, subject to approval by the island's Justice Department.

They tried that in New Orleans during Kitrina, without justification. Texas, it aint gonna happen, no way. Can you imagine.
 
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What are they planning on doing? Setting a defensive line and shooting at it as it approaches?
Unless martial law is declared, and I don't much agree with it then, the govt. has no legal business seizing guns or anything from a citizen.
Sounds like " Don't let any crisis go to waste" mentality.
 
What does this have to do with the continental US. If this was going to happen in TX it would have happened already

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
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I have been to the VIs a few times and never saw too much differences between them and mainland.

I thought that area was more or less governed by US laws and SCOTUS decisions. If thats the case the rulings after the NOLA problems are not being adhered to!
 
Certain parts of the USVI remind me of certain urban areas that are populated with "misguided youths". It's his polite way to confiscate guns to keep looting and shooting to a minimum. I feel sorry for those folks who live on their small sailboats - nowhere to run.
 
Every gun there is registered; and there aren't too many of them to begin with.
 
oneounceload said:
Certain parts of the USVI remind me of certain urban areas that are populated with "misguided youths". It's his polite way to confiscate guns to keep looting and shooting to a minimum. I feel sorry for those folks who live on their small sailboats - nowhere to run.
Click to expand...

You think confiscating the guns will keep looting and shooting to a minimum? How about rolling out the welcome mat for all those "misguided youth" who will now know there is no opposition once they break down the door.

Not a good idea by the gov...
 
Montana has a law that prohibits such an act even in the time of emergency.

While the US Virgin Is may not be a state they are a US territory and may not be bound by the constitution in some matters, but, personal rights and freedom matters are covered. I would have to believe confiscation of personal property would be covered as would the second amendment right.

See Downs v Bidwell

The Supreme Court decided 5-4 that the newly-annexed territories were not properly part of the United States for purposes of the Constitution in the matter of revenues, administrative matter, and the like. This allows congress to appoint government officials and impose tariffs etc.

BUT

However, the court was careful to note that the constitutional guarantees of a citizen's rights of liberty and property were applicable to all: such guarantees "cannot be under any circumstances transcended," said Justice Edward Douglass White, in his concurring opinion.

Territories were due the full protections of the Constitution only when Congress had incorporated them as an "integral part" of the United States.

I think the Govenor is going to get handed his you know what on this one.
 
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The only reason that they don't have a constitution is because it has to be approved by the US congress. Now what could possibly go wrong there.
 
This has been debunked as fake news FYI

Government House - US Virgin Islands - Home | Facebook

Fellow Virgin Islanders - Please beware of the rumors and misperceptions that happen in an emergency situation. This and the VITEMA page are official sources of information regarding this storm. Please be advised that there is ABSOLUTELY NO effort to confiscate anyone's weapons. As a matter of law, when the National Guard is activated in an emgergency situation they are granted the power to seize weapons and other materials they deem necessary to carry out their mission. Such an order is executed EVERY TIME the V.I. National Guard is activated. Anyone that says otherwise is simply trying to create confusion during what is already a very stressful time for us all. Those with concerns about this provision of the VI Code should bring them to our law-making body following the storm.
Click to expand...
 
The Governor of the VI under the Authority as Governor Activated the VI National Guard ahead of Irma. The decree signed by him didn't mention anything about seizures, just the authority to Activate the Guard Units.
Thom Braxton
SWCA #1474
 
This seems to be the document everyone is interested in...

a5KUYHm.jpg


I would point out the wording in paragraph 2, lines 10, 11, 12, and 13.

Best Regards, Les
 
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SPEEDGUNNER said:
You think confiscating the guns will keep looting and shooting to a minimum? How about rolling out the welcome mat for all those "misguided youth" who will now know there is no opposition once they break down the door.

Not a good idea by the gov...
Click to expand...


I never said I agreed at all. Spent several visits down there and I'll take St. John over St. Thomas......
While the US Virgin Is may not be a state they are a US territory and may not be bound by the constitution in some matters, but, personal rights and freedom matters are covered.
Click to expand...
Except the right to vote for President............
 
Glad to hear this is fake news. When I read the OP's initial post, I thought, "Oh no! Shades of Katrina!" and was reminded of the quote attributed to George Santayana:

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."​

Again, glad to hear that it's a bunch of bunk!
 
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Are you guys reading the same proclamation that I am? See above, post number 20, which is copied from the V.I. web page... There must be something here that I'm missing, I'm not sure how this is "fake news", when the Governor clearly authorizes and directs the Adjutant General to "seize arms, ammunition, explosives, incendiary material....." (paragraph 2, lines 10, 11, 12, 13).

I want to believe you, but please explain. And as I said, this is the actual document, simply linked to the V.I.s own web page, not from some radical news site.

Best Regards, Les
 
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How is it fake news?
Does the proclamation use the quoted language about guns, or does it not?
If it indeed does contain that language, then it is a true account, not fake.
It sounds like the Facebook post that tries to debunk the news is saying, "Oh,
it might contain that language, but no one is out there confiscating guns."

That might be the case, but if the proclamation contains that language, and every
account I have seen does, then the USVI Nat. Gd. Does indeed have the power
to confiscate guns.
 
This is quoted from the "Government House" FB post.
No, it is not Fake News. By law, the Governor's Proclamation gives the Guard the power to seize firearms.

"Please be advised that there is ABSOLUTELY NO effort to confiscate anyone's weapons. As a matter of law, when the National Guard is activated in an emgergency situation they are granted the power to seize weapons and other materials they deem necessary to carry out their mission. Such an order is executed EVERY TIME the V.I. National Guard is activated. Anyone that says otherwise is simply trying to create confusion during what is already a very stressful time for us all. Those with concerns about this provision of the VI Code should bring them to our law-making body following the storm."
 
That's my whole point, redlevel...I copied that document from the VI's own web site. That language about "may be required...for the performance of...their duties" still leaves confiscation up to the military to decide.

The NRA is not interpreting it as "fake news", and has threatened action. There is, I believe, federal law specifically forbidding this sort of confiscation, and I also believe it applies to the V.I., as well as to the mainland U.S.

Edit...Sorry, redlevel, I was typing at the same time as you. I just read your post, and hope that I didn't offend...not my purpose.

Best Regards, Les
 
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I'm confused. Are they talking about seizing privately owned weapons? Are they relying on individuals to provide the NG with guns, ammo, explosives etc.?

Or are they holding the weapons and other gear in an armory not under the Adj. Gen. control and are authorizing him to take possession of the arms necessary to perform their duty?

I can't see how planning to seize arms being a good plan for the arming of the National Guard.
 
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You have to understand the nuances in language differences in the islands ( all of them ).
The key word is " may ". In their context they're saying they may collect needed supplies, firearms etc. IF needed for their mission.
It's not saying to go out and confiscate and store anything now. Only if and when necessary.
When the document includes the phrase " I direct you to ", then it does.
I don't agree with it, but believe that's what is meant.
Thanks LesB for the copy of that document.
 
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