West Virginia: Charleston Mayor Shows True Colors in Opposition to Gun Rights

On March 5, NRA-backed House Bill 2760 passed by a voice vote in the House Judiciary Committee.  Sponsored by Delegate Rupie Phillips (D-24), this critical legislation addresses the inconsistencies within current West Virginia gun laws that create confusion for law-abiding citizens.

HB 2760 would strengthen current firearms preemption laws by removing existing “grandfather” clauses for certain localities to ensure a uniform set of firearms laws statewide.  This would eliminate restrictions such as the three-day waiting period for handgun purchases in Charleston that only serves to inconvenience law-abiding citizens.  HB 2760 is long overdue for residents and businesses in cities like Charleston and Martinsburg who have been subject to unreasonable and restrictive local rules and regulations on legal firearms.

Charleston Mayor Danny Jones has been speaking out publicly against this pro-gun reform.  On Tuesday, in reference to HB 2760, he said, “This is not good for Charleston.”  His statement is simply not factual.  This legislation would make the firearms laws clearer and more concise for law-abiding citizens across the state, and would have no negative impact whatsoever on Charleston.

The NRA would like to express a special thanks to several state legislators in Kanawha County -- Delegate Doug Skaff Jr. (D-35), Delegate Mark Hunt (D-36), Delegate Patrick Lane (R-38), Delegate Ron Walters (R-39), Delegate Tim Armstead (R-40) and Senator Erik Wells (D-8) -- who have been particularly supportive of HB 2760 and other NRA-backed bills during this legislative session.  These state lawmakers are fighting for your firearms freedoms each and every day in Charleston.

HB 2760 now goes to the floor of the House of Delegates in the next few days.  We need you to call AND e-mail your state Delegate(s) TODAY and respectfully ask them to vote YES on HB 2760.  Please hold your state legislator accountable by politely asking them how they plan to vote on HB 2760.

Telephone numbers and e-mails for your state Delegate(s) can be found here.