Politics

US Virgin Islands Governor Signed “Dangerous Precedent for Gun Seizure”

Fox News reported that U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth Mapp signed an executive order to seize all guns from law abiding citizens ahead of Hurricane Irma. But since then he has re-upped the order six times. Republicans Goodlatte and Bishop have sent him a letter demanding to know what’s going on.

When New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin attempted a similar law during Hurricane Katrina. The courts ruled it unconstitutional.

The Virgin Islands Governor claimed that his order did not give the National Guard the right to seize personal arms, etc. But reading the Executive Order, it seems to say something different.

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The wording of the Governor’s Executive Order directs the Adjutant General to seize “arms, ammunition, explosives, incendiary material, and any other property required by the military forces for the performance of this mission…”

The problem is, the Executive Order has been renewed SIX times since September 2017. Rep. Bob Goodlatte and Rep. Bob Bishop sent a letter to Governor Mapp about why the order was renewed, and whether or not any of the items in the order were actually seized.

The letter stated in part, “The inconsistency between the language in the executive order and Virgin Islands Code allowing for the seizure of legally owned firearms and your public statements regarding how the executive order will be implemented is concerning and potentially jeopardizes citizens’ right to bear arms…Citizens deserve a clear answer on how the government of the Virgin Islands intends to implement this and any future emergency executive orders that may impact their constitutional right to bear arms and defend themselves in an emergency.

The NRA had treatened to sue the USVI over the order last year.

The letter sent to Governor Mapp lays out the issue of self defense clearly.  In an emergency, especially a natural disaster that can involve an extreme danger to persons and their property, the 2nd Amendment is absolutely a necessity to protect lives.

“[The Second Amendment] isn’t about hunting, it’s not about collection. It’s an individual right to self-defense .” Rep. Bob Bishop

07.18.18 Bishop Goodlatte to Mapp VSVI Re Firearms Order – Signed by Alex Pfeiffer on Scribd

H/T Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children

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Faye Higbee

Faye Higbee is the columnist manager for Uncle Sam's Misguided Children. She has been writing at Conservative Firing Line since 2013 as well. She is also a published author.

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