Today, the West Virginia Senate passed Senate Bill 284 with an added floor amendment further benefiting law-abiding gun owners.
Introduced by state Senator David Nohe (R-3), SB 284 would require that a chief law enforcement officer (CLEO) sign an application for the transfer of any item regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA) within 30 days if the applicant is not prohibited by law from receiving it. By removing any possibility of personal bias and creating a statewide standard, SB 284 would protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners across the Mountain State. This legislation has also gained the support of the West Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, the issuing authority for NFA-regulated firearms.
Today’s added floor amendment respects the right of individuals who have been denied a certification to appeal the decision to the circuit court of the individual’s respective county. If the circuit court finds the individual is not prohibited by law from making, transferring, receiving or possessing a firearm, the circuit court shall order the chief law enforcement officer to issue the certification and may award costs and attorney’s fees to the applicant.
SB 284 has been sent to the House of Delegates, but has not yet been assigned to a committee. Thank you for your continued support on this issue and please continue to monitor your email inbox and www.nraila.org for further updates as this bill progresses through the House.