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 |
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
With a little more than a month until the midterm elections, Morrisey, the state’s Republican attorney general, is ...
Monday, September 10, 2018
On behalf of our six million members, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) today endorsed Patrick ...
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) today launched a six-figure TV ad campaign highlighting that Sen. ...
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Those who wrote the Constitution knew the importance of protecting core values, defending their life, liberty and pursuit ...
Thursday, March 29, 2018
On Tuesday, March 27th, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 451 into law. There will be ...
Friday, March 23, 2018
Gov. Jim Justice has signed a bill that would allow people to keep firearms locked in their vehicles while ...
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Today, Governor Jim Justice signed House Bill 4187 into law to improve the ability of law-abiding adults to ...
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
On Saturday, March 10th, the West Virginia Legislature adjourned sine die from the 2018 Legislative Session having passed ...
Monday, March 12, 2018
Employees in West Virginia could bring their loaded guns to work as long as they are locked in ...
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Yesterday, the West Virginia state House of Delegates concurred with House Bill 4187 as passed by the state ...