The Mountain State has continued its rich tradition of supporting your Second Amendment rights and hunting and shooting traditions through the introduction of multiple pro-gun bills during its 2013 legislative session.
Last Friday, the House of Delegates voted unanimously to pass House Bill 2471. HB 2471, sponsored by House Speaker Rick Thompson (D-19), seeks to prohibit restrictions on the lawful possession, use, carrying, transfer, transportation, storage or display of a firearm or ammunition during any declared state of emergency. HB 2471 has been sent to the state Senate where it was assigned to the Senate Government Organization Committee. Senate Bill 330, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Unger (D-16), is the Senate companion bill.
A number of other NRA-backed bills have been introduced and are on the move this session. Your NRA is tirelessly working through the legislative process with solidly pro-gun legislators to protect your Second Amendment rights in Charleston:
House Bill 2135, sponsored by Delegate Gary Howell (R-56), would allow the holder of a valid Concealed Pistol/Revolver Permit to keep a loaded firearm locked in their vehicle on State Capitol Complex grounds.
House Bill 2294, sponsored by Delegate Ryan Ferns (D-3), would allow the lawful transport and storage of a firearm in a personal vehicle while lawfully accessing public areas.
House Bill 2431, sponsored by Delegate Rupie Phillips (D-24), would amend the application process for a Concealed Pistol/Revolver Permit, making West Virginia permit holders eligible for an exemption from the national background check when purchasing a firearm.
House Bill 2572, sponsored by Delegate John Overington (R-62), would clarify when and where a person can carry a concealed firearm while afield.
House Bill 2602, sponsored by House Majority Leader Brent Boggs (D-34), would increase the number of states that recognize a West Virginia Concealed Pistol/Revolver Permit and allows residents of another state, who hold a valid out-of-state permit or license, to carry in West Virginia. Senate Bill 369, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Unger (D-16), is the Senate companion to HB 2602.
House Bill 2604, sponsored by Delegate Daniel Poling (D-10), would exempt honorably discharged veterans of the United States military from having to pay the fees and costs associated with a Concealed Pistol/Revolver Permit.
House Bill 2760, sponsored by Delegate Rupie Phillips (D-24), would remove existing “grandfather” clauses in certain localities across the state to make a uniform set of firearms laws statewide. This would eliminate provisions that create confusion for law-abiding citizens such as the three day waiting period for a handgun in Charleston.
With a large number of pro-gun bills being introduced in West Virginia this session, the NRA has made it our priority to support critical legislation that help advance your Right to Keep and Bear Arms in the Mountain State. The NRA is proud to work with an overwhelmingly bi-partisan group of state legislators in Charleston who appreciate and share the same profound respect and support for the Second Amendment as do our members in West Virginia.
As we move forward this session, please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your e-mail inbox for further legislative updates. However, please begin to contact your state Senator and Representative and urge them to support meaningful pro-gun reforms this legislative session. Please click here to identity your state legislators and their contact information.
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