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 15, 2011
Last week, the House Judiciary Committee passed House Bill 2346, a bill identical to one defeated last year ...
Friday, February 11, 2011
On Wednesday, February 9, two pro-gun bills were introduced in the House of Delegates. House Bill 3084 would ...
Friday, February 4, 2011
West Virginia seniors would pay $25 for a lifetime hunting, fishing and trapping license under a measure passed ...
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Around 3:30 a.m., two masked men armed with guns broke into a home in Scioto County, Ohio and ...
Friday, October 22, 2010
The Division of Natural Resources anticipates that hunter-donated venison to the Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) Program this ...
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
A new, voluntary gun registration program in the state’s capital concerns a statewide gun rights group. The program ...
Thursday, June 10, 2010
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released a plan to guide management of the Canaan Valley National ...
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Today Governor Joe Manchin (D) signed NRA-supported Senate Bill 1005 into law in West Virginia. He had vetoed ...
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Fairfax, Va. -- Today Governor Joe Manchin (D) signed NRA-supported Senate Bill 1005 into law in West Virginia. ...
Friday, May 14, 2010
Legislation that would make it a felony to conduct undercover sting operations on illegal firearms sales advanced to ...