This week, NRA-backed constitutional carry legislation--Senate Bill 347--overwhelmingly passed the West Virginia state House. SB 347 is a commonsense update to concealed carry statutes in West Virginia that would recognize a citizen's right to legally carry concealed without having to obtain a Concealed Handgun License (CHL), and allow law-abiding gun owners the ability to better protect themselves and their loved ones.
SB 347 gives citizens the freedom to choose the best method of carrying, based on their attire, gender and/or physical attributes. Also 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.
Even though this is an issue being addressed by the West Virginia legislature and NOT Congress, Senator Joe Manchin issued a press release calling a bill that passed with broad, bi-partisan support both “irresponsible” and “dangerous”.
According to Manchin, he opposes SB 347 because it "would allow a person to carry a concealed gun without a permit or requirement of safety training…" In West Virginia, it is legal to carry a firearm openly without the need for a license or government-mandated training, 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. What makes Manchin’s opposition even more bizarre is the fact that he has voted for - and is a current cosponsor of – federal legislation to allow non-residents to carry concealed without a permit in West Virginia.
Regardless of Senator Manchin’s disingenuous opposition, this legislation will soon be transmitted to West Virginia’s governor for consideration. Please show Governor Earl Ray Tomblin the strong support his constituents have for this bill by calling (304)558-2000 and politely urging him to sign SB 347! You can contact governor Tomblin by email here: http://www.governor.wv.gov/Pages/SubmitaCommenttotheGovernor.aspx
Constitutional Concealed Carry Effort in West Virginia Needs Your Help!
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Anti-gun legislators in Richmond have been busy ahead of the 2026 legislative session working on ways to burden your Second Amendment rights.
Friday, January 23, 2026
On Monday, January 26th, the Senate Courts of Justice committee will hold a hearing on over a dozen gun control bills, including semi-automatic bans and concealed carry prohibitions. The hearing will begin at 8am.
Thursday, January 15, 2026
The 2026 Virginia legislative session is underway, and lawmakers are continuing their assault on your Second Amendment rights.
Monday, January 19, 2026
In a monumental development for gun owners, the Department of Justice has acknowledged that one of the oldest federal gun control laws on the books is unconstitutional.
Monday, January 26, 2026
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the U.S. Supreme Court held oral arguments in a Second Amendment case that asked whether handgun carry licensees could be presumptively banned from carrying their arms onto publicly accessible private property.
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