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 28, 2020
On February 29th, the West Virginia House of Delegates will be holding second reading on Senate Bill 96 ...
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Today, the Senate Finance Committee voted to approve House Bill 4955, sending it to the Senate floor. HB ...
Monday, February 24, 2020
House Bill 4955 to reduce the application fee for a License to Carry Deadly Weapons (LCDW) is currently ...
Monday, February 17, 2020
Last week in a bipartisan 30-2 vote, the West Virginia Senate passed Senate Bill 96 to strengthen West Virginia’s ...
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
On February 12th, House Bill 4955 was introduced to reduce the application fee for a License to Carry ...
Monday, February 10, 2020
On February 10th, the West Virginia Senate voted 30-2 to pass Senate Bill 96 to strengthen West Virginia’s preemption law. ...
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
On February 4th, the West Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee voted 16-1 to advance Senate Bill 96 to strengthen ...
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
On February 3rd, the West Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee will hear Senate Bill 96 to strengthen West Virginia’s ...
Monday, January 27, 2020
Most West Virginia public school systems close for the opening week of deer hunting season for the benefit ...
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
On January 16th, the West Virginia Senate Government Organization Committee will hear Senate Bill 96, which would strengthen ...