West Virginia: Pro-Gun Legislation Expected to be Heard in Senate Committee Next Week

Next week, pro-gun bills Senate Bill 275 and Senate Bill 347 are expected to receive hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Senate Bill 275, introduced by state Senator Charles Trump (R-15), would ensure the confidentiality of personal information of all current and renewing applicants for a concealed handgun license.  Additionally, it would make the personal information of those persons who have earned a concealed handgun license private to everyone other than law enforcement agencies.

Senate Bill 347, introduced by state Senator Dave Sypolt (R-14), would recognize your right to legally carry a concealed firearm without the burdensome requirement of having to obtain a costly and time restrictive Concealed Handgun License (CHL).  This is a necessary update to concealed carry statutes in West Virginia, allowing law-abiding gun owners the ability to protect themselves and their loved ones.  In West Virginia, it is already legal to carry a firearm openly, as long as the individual is not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.  However, under current law, if a firearm becomes covered by a coat or if a woman prefers to carry a firearm for self-protection in her purse, he or she would need to possess a concealed pistol permit. 

This permitless carry legislation gives you the freedom to choose the best method of carrying for each individual, based on your attire, gender and/or physical attributes.  Also critically important, this legislation would keep in place the current permitting system so that people who obtain a permit could still enjoy the reciprocity agreements that West Virginia has with other states across the country.

These bills would greatly benefit law-abiding gun owners in The Mountain State.  Please contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and politely urge them to SUPPORT Senate Bill 275 and Senate Bill 347.

Senate Judiciary Committee Members:

Senator Charles Trump (R-Morgan, 15), Chairman
(304) 357-7980
[email protected]

Senator David Nohe (R-Wood, 03), Vice-Chairman
(304) 357-7970
[email protected]

Senator Robert Beach (D- Monongalia, 13)
(304) 357-7919
[email protected] 

Senator Art Kirkendoll (D-Logan, 07)
(304) 357-7857
[email protected]

Senator Ronald Miller (D- Greenbreier, 10)
(304) 357-7959
[email protected]

Senator Corey Palumbo (D-Kanawha, 17)
(304) 357-7880
[email protected]

Senator Mike Romano (D-Harrison, 12)
(304) 357-7904
[email protected]

Senator Herb Snyder (D-Jefferson, 16)
(304) 357-7957
[email protected]

Senator Bob Williams (D-Taylor, 14)
(304) 357-7995
[email protected]

Senator Mike Woelfel (D-Cabell, 05)
(304) 357-7956
[email protected]

Senator Mitch Carmichael (R-Jackson, 04)
(304) 357-7855
[email protected]

Senator Daniel Hall (R-Wyoming, 09)
(304) 357-7807
[email protected]

Senator Ryan Ferns (R-Ohio, 01)
(304) 357-7918
[email protected]

Senator Ed Gaunch (R-Kanawha, 08)
(304) 357-7841
[email protected]

Senator Robert Karnes (R-Upshur, 11)
(304) 357-7906
[email protected]

Senator Kent Leonhardt (R-Monongalia, 02)
(304) 357-7827
[email protected]v 

Senator Mark Maynard
(304) 357-7808
[email protected]