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 |
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The West Virginia House of Delegates had five pro-gun/pro-hunting bills introduced in the past week. The following bills ...
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
As previously reported, Senate Bill 144 was to be heard in the state Senate Natural Resources Committee tomorrow, ...
Monday, February 13, 2012
This Wednesday, February 15, West Virginia Senate committees are expected to consider two NRA-backed bills. The state Senate ...
Monday, February 13, 2012
This Wednesday, February 15, West Virginia Senate committees are expected to consider two NRA-backed bills. The state Senate ...
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Today, the state Senate Natural Resources Committee passed Senate Bill 478, which would create an apprentice hunting license ...
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Tomorrow, the state Senate Natural Resources Committee will consider Senate Bill 478, legislation which would create an apprentice ...
Friday, February 3, 2012
On Wednesday, February 1, West Virginia Senator John Unger (D-16) introduced Senate Bill 478, which would create an ...
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
State officials have added Kansas to the list of states where West Virginians with a valid concealed weapons ...
Monday, January 30, 2012
On January 27, official Right-to-Carry reciprocity was recognized between West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw and Kansas Attorney ...
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The 2012 session of the West Virginia Legislature is underway and has gotten off to a great start ...