Two NRA-Backed Bills Introduced in the West Virginia State House

On Wednesday, February 9, two pro-gun bills were introduced in the House of Delegates.  House Bill 3084 would clarify the training requirements for concealed carry applicants, such as the misunderstanding about the existence of a “live fire” requirement.  The second, House Bill 3085, would prohibit physicians from making unrelated inquiries into a patient’s status of firearm ownership. At this time there is no scheduled action for these bills.

Current statute describes various types of qualifying courses for concealed carry applicants, but specifically states that “any official National Rifle Association handgun safety or training course” will satisfy said requirement.  The problem often experienced has been in the interpretation of the required content of these courses, with some of the issuing agencies feeling that a “live fire” component is necessary for adequate training.  House Bill 3084 would correct the vague language in order to fix this problem, since “live fire” has never been a training requirement for concealed carry.  The original authors of the law have agreed with our acknowledgement and are in full support of the passage of this necessary clean-up legislation. 

House Bill 3085 would expressly prohibit physicians from making any sort of oral or written inquiry into the ownership, possession, or storage of firearms where the inquiry has no relation to the practice of medicine or the medical condition of the patient.  This situation has continuously occurred throughout the United States and is an unwarranted violation of one’s privacy.  HB 3085 would also establish penalties for physicians who continue make such inquiries. 

Please contact your Delegate and respectfully urge him or her to support the passage of House Bill 3084 and House Bill 3085.  To locate your legislator and find their contact information, please click here.