West Virginia: Pro-Gun Bill Receives Pro-Hunting Amendment

Today, the West Virginia Senate adopted a committee amendment to self-defense legislation, House Bill 2679.  This amendment adds a provision to HB 2679 that would expand Sunday hunting opportunities.  Please contact your state Senator and urge them to SUPPORT HB 2679.

HB 2679, sponsored by Delegate Amy Summers (R-49), would allow a law-abiding person to carry a firearm in any state, county, or Municipal Park or other recreation area.  This legislation would remove the ability for park commissions to prohibit carrying in parks by rules or ordinance.  Law-abiding West Virginians who choose to carry a concealed handgun in a park should not need to worry about a confusing patchwork of firearm regulations throughout the state.

In addition, HB 2679 will now also seek to expand Sunday hunting opportunities on private land with written permission. Currently, West Virginia allows hunting on Sundays in some counties on some private land.  This change would remove this confusing patchwork.  While hunting is restricted in West Virginia in certain counties on Sundays, other activities such as fishing, hiking and target shooting remain perfectly legal on the seventh day of the week.  Between work, school and other obligations, Sunday hunting bans work to discourage hunting at a time when hunter recruitment and participation must be encouraged in order to save our hunting heritage.  Restrictions on Sunday hunting effectively treat hunters as second-class citizens and tacitly endorse the view of animal extremists that there is something wrong with hunting.

Again, please contact your state Senator and urge them to SUPPORT HB 2679.