West Virginia Gun Laws
Gun Laws Overview
RIFLES & SHOTGUNS | HANDGUNS | |
---|---|---|
Permit to Purchase | No | No |
Registration of Firearms | No | No |
Licensing of Owners | No | No |
Permit to Carry | No | No* |
*A permit to carry is available, but it is not required to carry a handgun either openly or concealed for individuals 21 years of age or over. The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information. We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change. The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include: restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL. West Virginia only honors permits or licenses of individuals 21 years of age or over. |
STATE STATUS | |
---|---|
Castle Doctrine | Enacted |
No-Net Loss | Enacted |
Right to Carry Confidentiality | Enacted |
Right to Carry in Restaurants | Legal |
Right To Carry Laws | No Permit Required |
Right To Carry Reciprocity and Recognition | Conditional Recognition |
Right to Keep & Bear Arms State Constitutional Provisions | With Provisions |
Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms
Purchase
It is unlawful for any person to sell, give, rent or lend a firearm to a person prohibited from possessing a firearm. MORE |
Possession
No state permit is required to possess a rifle, shotgun or handgun. MORE |
Carry
West Virginia is a permitless carry state. A person who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm may carry a firearm openly or concealed. MORE |
Machine Guns
It is unlawful to carry, transport or possess any machine gun or sub-machine gun or fully automatic weapon unless properly federally licensed. |
Preemption
...neither a municipality nor the governing body of any municipality may limit the right of any person to purchase, possess, transfer, own, carry, transport, sell or store any revolver, pistol, rifle or shotgun or any ammunition or ammunition components... MORE |
Range Protection
Except as provided in this section, a person may not maintain a nuisance action for noise against a shooting range located in the vicinity of that person's property if the range was established as of the date of the person acquiring the property. MORE |
Miscellaneous
Persons under the age of 18 may not carry or possess firearms unless on family premises or on other property with permission of the owner or lessee. Also excepted is lawful hunting or traveling to or from a hunting site. MORE |
Friday, February 10, 2017
Mason County deputies said a homeowner shot and wounded a man who forced his way into his residence. ...
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Yesterday, the West Virginia Legislature convened for its 2017 Legislative Session. Your NRA-ILA anticipates that 2017 will be ...
Friday, January 27, 2017
The election of Donald J. Trump to the presidency has many gun owners feeling more secure about their ...
Friday, January 20, 2017
Huntington City Council's Public Safety Committee opted to take no immediate action on a proposed ordinance that could ...
Friday, December 2, 2016
Every year tens of millions of law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen work with NRA to advance pro-gun reforms ...
Monday, October 24, 2016
West Virginia state Senator Craig Blair (R-15) has been awarded the Defender of Freedom Award from the National ...
Friday, October 7, 2016
The National Rifle Association congratulates Attorney General Patrick Morrisey for expanding concealed carry reciprocity for young West Virginian ...
Friday, October 7, 2016
While a new law lets people 21 and older to carry covered-up guns without permits, Attorney General Patrick ...
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Today, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced expanded concealed carry reciprocity for 18-20 year olds who obtain a provisional ...
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Making hunting legal on Sundays across West Virginia could create about 2,600 jobs and spur up to $155 ...