West Virginia: Permitless Carry Legislation Scheduled for Hearing This Week

On Wednesday, January 27, the House Judiciary Committee will receive testimony on House Bill 4145, legislation that would allow a law-abiding individual, who is 21 years of age or older, to lawfully carry a concealed handgun for self-defense without a permit.  HB 4145 also addresses a current deficiency in state law that prohibits an individual who is between the ages of 18 and 21 from obtaining a concealed weapon permit. 

As previously reported, the provisions of HB 4145 are intended to protect law-abiding individuals who wish to exercise their fundamental right of self-defense.  HB 4145 will not allow individuals who are prohibited from possessing a firearm, under state or federal law, to lawfully carry a concealed handgun. 

Unfortunately, it already appears that anti-gun interests in Charleston are attempting to undermine this important legislation.  Among the many unfavorable amendments that are being contemplated is a "duty to inform" provision.  This ambiguous provision would require a law-abiding individual to disclose, upon any interaction with law enforcement, that they possess a firearm.  Such provisions are wrought with problems and subject law-abiding gun owners to prosecution for simply forgetting or waiting too long to disclose that they have a firearm.  Furthermore, criminals who are carrying illegal guns aren't going to disclose that they are breaking the law. 

Please contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee immediately and ask that they support HB 4145 without a “duty to inform” amendment. Committee contact information can be found below.

House Judiciary Committee

Delegate John Scott (R-Mercer, 27), Chairman
(304) 340-3252
[email protected]  

Delegate Patrick Lane (R-Kanawha, 38), Vice-Chair
(304) 340-3252
[email protected]  

Delegate Tim Manchin (D-Marion, 50), Minority Chair
(304) 340-3331

Delegate Stephen Skinner (D-Jefferson, 67), Vice-Minority Chair
(304) 340-3248
[email protected]  

Delegate Mike Azinger (R-Wood, 10)
(304) 340-3202
[email protected]  

Delegate Frank Deem (R-Wood, 10)
(304) 340-3137
[email protected]  

Delegate Tom Fast (R-Fayette, 32)
(304) 340-3170
[email protected]  

Delegate Michael Folk (R-Berkeley, 63)
(304) 340-3350
[email protected]  

Delegate Geoff Foster (R-Putnam, 15)
(304) 340-3121
[email protected]  

Delegate Roger Hanshaw (R-Clay, 33)
(304) 340-3135
[email protected]  

Delegate Lynwood Ireland (R-Ritchie, 07)
(304) 340-3195
[email protected]  

Delegate Kayla Kessinger (R-Fayette, 32)
(304) 340-3197
[email protected]  

Delegate John McCuskey (R-Kanawha, 35)
(304) 340-3183
[email protected]  

Delegate John Overington (R-Berkeley, 62)
(304) 340-3148
[email protected]  

Delegate Kelli Sobonya (R-Cabell, 18)
(304) 340-3175
[email protected]  

Delegate Amy Summers (R-Taylor, 49)
(304) 340-3139
[email protected]  

Delegate Ryan Weld (R-Brooke, 02)
(304) 340-3367
[email protected]  

Delegate Mark Zatezalo (R-Hancock, 01)
(304) 340-3120
[email protected]  

Delegate Andrew Byrd (D-Kanawha, 35)
(304) 340-3362
[email protected]  

Delegate Barbara Evans Fleischauer (D-Monongalia, 51)
(304) 340-3127
[email protected]  

Delegate Shawn Fluharty (D-Ohio, 03)
(304) 340-3270
[email protected]  

Delegate Justin Marcum (D-Mingo, 20)
(304) 340-3126
[email protected]  

Delegate Clif Moore (D-McDowell, 26)
(304) 340-3165
[email protected]  

Delegate Larry Rowe (D-Kanawha, 36)
(304) 340-3287
[email protected]  

Delegate Steven Shaffer (D-Preston, 52)
(304) 340-3160
[email protected]