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 22, 2010
Fairfax, Va. – Today the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is announcing its endorsement of U.S. ...
Friday, March 19, 2010
The National Park Service has released a general management plan (GMP) for the New River Gorge, a 70,000-acre ...
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Senate Bill 515, introduced by State Senator Jeff Kessler (D-2), successfully passed through the West Virginia legislature and ...
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The Legislature passed a measure Saturday that targets anyone who tries to entice a firearms dealer or private ...
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
A bill that would give gun buyers a break on the state's 6 percent sales tax passed quietly ...
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Senate Bill 515, introduced by State Senator Jeff Kessler (D-2), is currently being held in the House Judiciary ...
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
On Friday, February 26, House Bill 4521, "The Second Amendment Appreciation Act" was passed by an overwhelming bi-partisan ...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tomorrow, February 18, the Senate Judiciary Committee may consider Senate Bill 515. This important legislation, would prohibit and ...
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
West Virginia has a message for Mayor Bloomberg: Don't come 'round here to buy our guns. A legislator ...
Friday, February 12, 2010
Senate Judiciary Chairman Jeffrey Kessler hopes to send a strong message to the Big Apple and any others ...