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 |
Thursday, March 7, 2013
On March 5, NRA-backed House Bill 2760 passed by a voice vote in the House Judiciary Committee. Sponsored ...
Thursday, March 7, 2013
West Virginia would void local and county wide gun laws under a measure endorsed Tuesday by the House ...
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Yesterday, NRA-backed House Bill 2760, sponsored by Delegate Rupie Phillips (D-24), passed by a voice vote in the ...
Thursday, February 28, 2013
The Mountain State has continued its rich tradition of supporting your Second Amendment rights and hunting and shooting ...
Monday, February 25, 2013
On Friday, February 22, the West Virginia House of Delegates voted 97-0 to advance important emergency powers protection ...
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Yesterday, NRA-supported House Bill 2471, sponsored by House Speaker Rick Thompson (D-19), was reported with a substitute by ...
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Panic buying of firearms and ammunition has store shelves looking pretty bare nowadays.At the same time, though, it ...
Monday, January 28, 2013
Although the 81st Legislature of West Virginia stands adjourned until February 13, the barrage of attacks being waged ...
Monday, August 13, 2012
West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw, in conjunction with the West Virginia Sheriff’s Association, West Virginia Division of ...
Thursday, April 5, 2012
On February 21, official Right-to-Carry reciprocity was recognized between West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw (D) and Texas ...