It has been a busy week in Charleston as numerous pro-gun measures were introduced and referred to committee. Your NRA is closely watching and fully supporting the following legislation that was recently introduced:
House Bill 4186, sponsored by Delegate Rupie Phillips (D-24), is the third attempt at legislation that would clarify and make uniform the language of West Virginia’s concealed carry statutes. Upon passage and enactment, this language will be sent to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) for further review. The review by BATFE should ensure that valid carry permit holders will be exempt from the national background check when purchasing a firearm.
House Bill 4271, sponsored by Delegate Rupie Phillips (D-24), would permit an individual to carry a handgun in their glove box or center console in a personal vehicle without possessing a concealed carry license.
House Bill 4288, sponsored by Delegate Rupie Phillips (D-24), is the companion bill to SB 317, sponsored by state Senator John Unger II (D-16). These bills are statewide firearms preemption bills which would bring Charleston and three other cities that currently have and enforce local gun control ordinances into uniformity with the rest of the state. They would establish in statute what the amendment to last year’s Home Rule hoped to accomplish, but without the necessity of an "opt in" provision.
House Bill 4309, sponsored by Delegate Rupie Phillips (D-24), would permit a person to legally store a firearm in a private vehicle on state Capitol grounds provided the firearm is locked away and out of view.
House Bill 4310, sponsored by Delegate Rupie Phillips (D-24), is the companion bill to SB 198, sponsored by state Senator John Unger II (D-16). This legislation would ensure confidentiality of all current and renewing applicants for deadly weapons permits. Additionally, it would make the personal information of those persons who have earned a concealed deadly weapons permit private to everyone other than law enforcement agencies.
Senate Bill 298, sponsored by state Senator John Unger II (D-16), would clarify the language that delineates when and why a natural resources officer may stop an individual afield who is in possession of a firearm.
We fully expect these bills to be heard in their respective committees in the coming weeks. Be assured your NRA will notify you as these bills move through the legislative process in West Virginia. Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your e-mail inbox for further updates.