Yesterday, the West Virginia House of Delegates passed critical legislation that protects the personal safety, individual privacy and property of law-abiding gun owners with a valid concealed deadly weapons permit (CDWP).
House Bill 4310, sponsored by Delegate Rupie Phillips (D-24), passed in the state House by a 92-4 vote. HB 4310 would ensure the confidentiality of personal information 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.
This legislation is essential for the protection of law-abiding gun owners in the Mountain State. Recently, there have been several instances of anti-gun media outlets publishing the names and addresses of concealed carry permit holders which jeopardizes the safety and violates the privacy of law-abiding citizens. Such publications place lawful permit holders at risk to criminals who may target their home to steal firearms. HB 4310 would ensure that this never happens in West Virginia. An individual exercising his or her Second Amendment rights should not be put at risk of being a victim of gun theft by the public exposure of their private information, and enactment of this permit confidentiality legislation will prevent such abuse. The privacy of carry permit holders in 43 states is now protected by laws similar to HB 4310.
Your NRA cannot thank those Delegates enough who voted their conscience and have ensured the protection of the personal information and privacy of law-abiding gun owners across the Mountain State. By showing unified support in the face of some in the print media who care more for their publication autonomy than the safety of law-abiding citizens, a resounding message was sent in this overwhelming vote.
With the 2014 legislative session ending next Saturday, March 8, we fully expect HB 4310 to be heard and voted on in the state Senate in the next few days.
Please call AND e-mail your two state Senators today and ask them to vote YES on HB 4310. Click here for you state Senators’ contact information.
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