Self-Defense and Pro-Hunting Bills on the Move in West Virginia!

Please Contact Your State Senator and Urge Them to Protect Your Second Amendment Rights!

On Wednesday, February 13 the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed a Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 145, “Castle Doctrine” legislation.  This bill now heads to the Senate floor where every member of the West Virginia Senate is a co-sponsor. 

This bill authorizes the use of deadly force by law-abiding citizens against an attacker in their home and any place outside of their home where they have a legal right to be.  It is clearly stated that there is no “duty to retreat” from an attacker, allowing law-abiding citizens to stand their ground to protect themselves and their family.  SB145 also protects individuals from civil lawsuits by the attacker or the attacker’s family when force is used. 

Senate Bill 9, introduced by State Senator Billy Wayne Bailey (D-9), passed out of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, February 13.  SB9 would mandate firearm and hunter safety education programs be offered in public schools for students in the eighth through twelfth grades.  However, it would not be mandatory that students take the course.  This is important legislation that will teach children to hunt safely and ethically from an early age.  They will also learn how to handle firearms safely while hunting, while participating in sport competitions, or at home.  Completion of the course will enable students to obtain their hunting licenses.

Please contact your State Senator at (304) 357-7800 and respectfully urge him or her to pass both of these important bills.

Senate Resolution 14, sponsored State Senator Shirley Love (D-11), is a resolution requesting the National Park Service not ban hunting in the New River Gorge National River.  This resolution was sent to the Senate Natural Resources Committee.  The House of Delegates is working on a similar resolution to maintain the tradition of hunting in the New River Gorge National River area.  Hunting has been permitted there since 1978 and serves as an economic boost to the surrounding areas.  Hunting in the New River Gorge National River area also maintains a healthy wildlife population and allows more people the opportunity to hunt in West Virginia.

Please keep checking www.NRAILA.org for further updates on all of these measures.