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Legal Information: U.S. Virgin Islands

State Gun Laws

Laws current as of September 26, 2024

I have a temporary restraining order against the abuser. Do I have to wait until I receive a permanent order before my abuser's gun is taken away?

Maybe.  VI law says that the abuser has to be given notice of the restraining order before it is illegal for him to have a gun.1  If the judge gave you an ex parte temporary order of protection (which means that no advance notice was given to the abuser), which is commonly done, it could still be LEGAL for him to have a gun.  However, if the judge scheduled a court hearing and gave notice of the hearing to the abuser before giving you the temporary order of protection, it is possible that it is ILLEGAL for him to have a gun. The order of protection must also meet certain other requirements, though.  Go to I have a restraining order against the abuser. Can s/he keep a gun or buy a new gun? to read more.

1 23 V.I.C. § 456a(a)(8)(A)

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