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 |
Monday, January 13, 2020
On Wednesday, January 8, West Virginia state Senator Charles Trump (R-15) introduced Senate Bill 96, which would further ...
Saturday, March 9, 2019
On Saturday, March 9th, the West Virginia Legislature adjourned sine die from its 2019 Legislative Session. While the ...
Thursday, March 7, 2019
On March 5th, House Bill 2519, The Campus Self-Defense Act, failed to pass the West Virginia state Senate ...
Thursday, February 28, 2019
On February 27th, the West Virginia state House of Delegates passed House Bill 2519 by a vote of 59-41 to ...
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
On February 27th, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Shott motioned for House Bill 2519, the Campus Self-Defense Act, ...
Monday, February 25, 2019
On February 26th, the West Virginia state House of Delegates will have a second reading on House Bill ...
Thursday, February 21, 2019
On February 21st, the West Virginia state House Finance Committee voted to pass House Bill 2519, the Campus ...
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
On February 19th, the West Virginia state House Judiciary Committee voted 12-11 to pass House Bill 2519, the ...
Thursday, February 7, 2019
On February 11th at 2:00PM, the West Virginia state House Judiciary Committee will be holding a public hearing on ...
Friday, January 18, 2019
On January 18th, House Bill 2519, the Campus Self-Defense Act, was introduced to ensure that law-abiding adults are ...