‘We cannot ignore the desperation’ behind businesses wanting firearms- BVICC
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) reported on Monday, October 12, 2026, that it was investigating three recent armed robberies at businesses across Tortola between September and October 2026. Two of the armed robberies took place over the weekend.
The BVICC, while encouraging businesses to take measures to protect their establishments and staff within the current constraints of the law, said more needs to be done.
“How much longer can we expect businesses to continue serving our communities when their owners and employees are increasingly concerned for their lives?” Mr Sinclair H. Flemming Jr, Chairman of the BVICC, said.
Transparent discussions
Mr Flemming said the BVICC is calling for a review of the existing framework governing access to non-lethal protective devices, including projectile-based electronic incapacitation devices, subject to appropriate licensing, training, screening and oversight.
The BVICC also believes there should be a transparent discussion about the existing firearm licensing process, its requirements, and whether reasonable and lawful provisions address demonstrable security risks faced by business operators.
“We are not advocating for an armed society. We are advocating for a society in which law-abiding citizens have practical, legal and proportionate means of protecting themselves,” Mr Flemming said.
A cry for help
BVICC said that at its foundation, business is about providing value; services to the community, while creating employment, paying taxes and investing in communities.
Noting that business owners already accept substantial financial risks, BVICC said what they should not be expected to accept is the repeated threat of violence against themselves, their families and their employees.
Mr Flemming said, “We cannot allow a situation where the people who follow the law feel increasingly defenceless, while those who disregard it continue to threaten their livelihoods.”
Business operators, according to the BVICC, have grown frustrated and fearful that they are contemplating obtaining illegal firearms for protection.
“The BVI Chamber of Commerce vehemently opposes the possession or use of illegal firearms,” Mr Flemming stated; however added that the desperation behind these conversations cannot be ignored.
Some practical prevention measures
Meanwhile, the BVICC encouraged businesses to take reasonable preventative measures, including: removing excess cash from business premises at irregular intervals throughout the day, where this can be done safely; implementing controlled entry procedures during later operating hours, where appropriate; installing and maintaining surveillance systems and adequate exterior lighting; encouraging employees to avoid unnecessary isolated movements late at night; and establishing clear robbery-response procedures that prioritise human life over cash or property.
BVICC added that these measures come at a cost as restricted entry affects customer traffic, additional staffing increases payroll, and security infrastructure requires ongoing investment.
Business owners were encouraged to continue reporting criminal activity so that the authorities can properly assess the scale of the problem and respond effectively.
“We should not have to choose between keeping our businesses open and keeping our employees alive," BVICC stated.
Follow Us On
31 Responses to “‘We cannot ignore the desperation’ behind businesses wanting firearms- BVICC”
It really is time VI people, Christian people ha ha, did not hide the murderers and drug runners, gun owners and users and started to help the police.
It seems to me that the criminals always happen to be buisiness owners with children so I don't see how giving them guns is going to help the innocent people of the VI.
The ones like the child that got shot and killed and the child that shot and killed.
What a society. Speak out. Speak to the police. Offer the information that you have.
We need less guns not more.
If a plain-clothed police officer were in the store, would they draw their firearm? Probably not. This turns a simple armed robbery into a shootout. It's called risk management. Escalation.
Escalation is not the answer.
Perhaps this could be seen as a deterrent, but if someone really wants or needs that money bad enough, it just adds the clerk's life to the ledger.
Food for thought.
Example: the recent robbery, clearly it was the cashier at risk. Thank the higher powers they did not hurt her and I pray for her recovery from that trauma. Most times the owners (let's say the licensed fire arm holder) are not around. What good is the gun then? Simple as that, so think before you talk messon
How many of them the business owners does be their personally at late hours....
I would understand small businesses cuz the owner does be all day in most cases
Let's a gun man come and to take the cash float . Wa the business owner gonna do ? Play hero and have shoot out with customers and workers in the cross fire?
Has a business owner ever been injured from these incidents? Has any workers lost their life from these incidents?
No cuz the gun man them just only care about taking the money and whatever assets and leaving.
All y'all gonna do is escalate things to where there will be more shoots outs and more aggression by the gunman then.
The public love to say the criminals got bigger guns than the police. So wa gonna be the difference when business owners get them lil hand gun? Ain the same big guns criminals gonna bring? Maybe even bigger when they know that the business might pose a threat to them??
Make it make sense
Don't fight fire with fire
The public need to come forward and give information to lock up the people they know have guns
A lot of y'all know but don't say nothing
Especially the females that attracted to criminals. They fully know who owns guns cuz they always around then or knows their associates. Them on fast boats on weekends and at bars and parties with the same gun man them
Y'all don't say nothing but when one of those gun men turn on one of y'all friends or family you will understand why this no snitching culture is tom foolery smh.
I don't want to get caught in no shootout with a business owners and criminals. I rather shop online at that point
As a business person, and they come in
My business to rob my business, I am going to shoot first and then ask questions. I call it standing my frigging ground. I don’t care what none of y’all have to say, I am protecting my s***.