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, February 8, 2008
Senate Bill 9, introduced by State Senator Billy Wayne Bailey (D-9), would to mandate firearm and hunter safety ...
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Students in West Virginia schools are a step closer to learning how to call in a turkey or ...
Friday, February 1, 2008
A bill introduced by a West Virginia state senator could bring hunter education back to the state`s middle ...
Friday, January 11, 2008
On Wednesday, January 9, State Senator Shirley Love (D-11) introduced Senate Bill 145, “Castle Doctrine” legislation. SB145 simply ...
Monday, October 1, 2007
Senator Shirley Love is preparing to offer his version of the “Castle Doctrine” bill, one the National Rifle ...
Monday, August 20, 2007
West Virginia Attorney General Darrel McGraw (D) announced on Saturday, August 18 that West Virginia has entered into ...
Monday, July 23, 2007
West Virginians like their guns, and they seem to be responsible firearm owners. Nearly 60% percent of adults ...
Friday, June 15, 2007
Attorney General Darrel McCraw (D) has entered West Virginia into Right-to-Carry reciprocity agreements with North Carolina, Ohio, Florida, ...
Friday, June 8, 2007
With many West Virginia citizens concerned about the issue of self-defense, NRA attempted to alleviate these concerns with ...
Friday, April 6, 2007
Governor Joe Manchin signed House Bill 3074, “RTC reciprocity,” legislation earlier this week. Please call Governor Manchin and ...