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 |
Friday, March 27, 2009
Senate Bill 621 was passed earlier this week by the Senate Judiciary Committee. SB621 is a technical clean ...
Friday, March 20, 2009
Senate Bill 621, introduced by Senator John Unger (D-16), is a technical clean up to the state's preemption ...
Friday, March 20, 2009
Coach Jon Hammond tells me because of all the turmoil in the last five years this year's title, ...
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A state senator has proposed legislation that would repeal the weapons ban at the Capitol Complex. Read Original ...
Monday, February 9, 2009
The governor and first lady today presented a $35,000 check to the Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) program. ...
Monday, December 29, 2008
West Virginia’s hunters might fret about the number of deer, the timing of the turkey season or the ...
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Shortly after midnight, two armed robbers broke into a home in Gallipolis, Ohio. Once inside, the burglars confronted ...
Thursday, December 4, 2008
We hear, over and over again, that West Virginia's deer hunting seasons contribute mightily to the state's economy. ...
Monday, November 24, 2008
Attorney General Darrell McGraw today announced a concealed weapons reciprocity agreement with the state of Louisiana. This is ...
Monday, November 17, 2008
Fears that President-elect Barack Obama and a Democrat-controlled Congress will strip away Second Amendment rights has customers lining ...