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, April 5, 2012
Officials for the West Virginia Attorney General's office have worked through a major stumbling block with the state ...
Monday, April 2, 2012
Today, West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed three NRA-backed bills into law: SB 149, SB 353 and ...
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
After passing in the state Senate Judiciary Committee last week and in the state Senate Finance Committee on ...
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Gun owners in the Mountain State should be pleased to know that pro-hunting and pro-gun legislation is making ...
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Gun owners in the Mountain State should be pleased to know that pro-hunting and pro-gun legislation is making ...
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Today, the state Senate Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 149 by a voice vote. This legislation will now ...
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Today, the state Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 478 by a 33 to 0 vote. This legislation would ...
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Tomorrow, the state Senate Judiciary Committee is tentatively scheduled to hear Senate Bill 149. This hearing will be ...
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Today, the West Virginia Senate passed Senate Bill 353 unanimously by a 34 to 0 vote! SB 353 ...
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Yesterday, the state Senate Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 353 unanimously by a voice vote! Thank you to ...