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, October 30, 2017
Deputies say Charles Thomas was held at gunpoint by the owner of the home he was trying to ...
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
A Kanawha County judge ruled last week that some municipal recreation centers are, for legal purposes, school facilities ...
Monday, August 28, 2017
West Virginia's attorney general has filed a brief on behalf of a 21-state coalition urging the U.S. Supreme ...
Friday, August 25, 2017
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced that government officials of Wisconsin and West Virginia have worked out ...
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Tracy Stalnaker, 53, armed himself with a knife and chased the other man, who in turn shot Stalnaker, ...
Friday, July 7, 2017
This week, multiple pro-gun and pro-hunting bills that were signed into law by Governor Jim Justice take effect.
Thursday, May 4, 2017
A Weston man was arrested Wednesday after police said he attempted to rob a hotel in Clarksburg. Austin ...
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Late yesterday, Governor Jim Justice signed two important pro-gun bills into law.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Today, Governor Jim Justice signed important Sunday Hunting legislation into law.
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Yesterday, Governor Jim Justice signed important range protection legislation, Senate Bill 575, into law.