West Virginia: Four NRA-Backed Bills Introduced in the Mountain State

The 2012 session of the West Virginia Legislature is underway and has gotten off to a great start for gun owners.  Pro-gun West Virginia legislators have introduced four NRA-backed bills already with at least one more bill expected to be introduced in the very near future. 

State Senate Majority Leader John Unger (D-16) is leading the charge for gun owners in the Mountain State by introducing three pro-gun bills; Senate Bill 144, Senate Bill 149 and Senate Bill 370.  SB 144 would make a clear distinction between hunters and shooters in the field and only require those engaged in hunting to be required to carry a valid hunting license.  SB 149 would require local and statewide law enforcement agencies to attempt to return a seized firearm to its lawful and legal owner if available or to sell the firearm at auction for a source of revenue.  Currently, agencies have the ability to destroy these guns immediately.  SB 370, employee/workplace protection, would allow lawful owners of a firearm to transport and store their gun locked in their vehicle while parked on publicly accessible private parking lots statewide. 

Senate Bill 353, introduced by state Senate Majority Leader John Unger (D-16) and Senate President Jeff Kessler (D-2), would expedite the process of purchasing a firearm for valid concealed carry permit holders by making West Virginia eligible for an exemption from the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).  These permit holders have already cleared a background check and fingerprinting process.  This legislation would further conform state law to federal law. 

SB 149, SB 353 and SB 370 have been sent to the state Senate Judiciary Committee for its consideration.  SB 144 has been sent to the state Senate Natural Resources Committee for its consideration. 

Please continue to check your e-mail and www.NRAILA.org for updates on these pro-gun related issues.