West Virginia: Firearms Destruction Prevention Legislation to be Heard in Senate Committee Tomorrow

Tomorrow, the state Senate Judiciary Committee is tentatively scheduled to hear Senate Bill 149.  This hearing will be at 3 p.m. in Room 208W of the State Capitol.

Introduced by state Senate Majority Leader John Unger (D-16), SB 149 would mandate police authorities return all seized firearms, not currently being held as evidence in a criminal investigation, to the lawful owner if able.  If the lawful owner is not found or unable to take possession of the firearm, SB 149 would require these agencies to sell these firearms at a public auction to a licensed firearms dealer.  Current West Virginia law allows for seized guns to be immediately destroyed.

SB 149 would also prevent the wasteful and expensive practice of destroying firearms that could be re-circulated through licensed dealers to the retail market.  Localities would be enabled with the ability to reap the benefits of the sale proceeds and consumers would have access to affordable firearms through licensed dealers, with all of the usual safeguards that apply to dealer sales to the public.

We expect active opposition to SB 350 by some local and state law enforcement agencies so we need your help today!  Please call AND e-mail members of the state Senate Judiciary Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to SUPPORT SB 149.  Contact information can be found below.

Senate Judiciary Committee:

Senator Corey Palumbo (D-8), Chairman
(304) 357-7880
[email protected]

Senator Mark Wills (D-10), Vice-Chairman
(304) 357-7843
[email protected]

Senator Robert Beach (D-13)
(304) 357-7919
[email protected]

Senator Richard Browning (D-9)
(304) 357-7807
[email protected]

Senator John Fanning (D-6)
(304) 357-7867
[email protected]

Senator Dan Foster (D-17)
(304) 357-7866
[email protected]

Senator Evan Jenkins (D-5)
(304) 357-7956
[email protected]

Senator Art Kirkendoll (D-7)
(304) 357-7857
[email protected]

Senator Orphy Klempa (D-1)
(304) 357-7918
[email protected]

Senator Joe Minard (D-12)
(304) 357-7904
[email protected]

Senator Herb Snyder (D-16)
(304) 357-7957
[email protected]

Senator Greg Tucker (D-11)
(304) 357-7906
[email protected]

Senator John Unger (D-16)
(304) 357-7933
[email protected]

Senator Bob Williams (D-14)
(304) 357-7995
[email protected]

Senator Clark Barnes (R-15)
(304) 357-7973
[email protected]

Senator Karen Facemyer (R-4)
(304) 357-7855
[email protected]

Senator David Nohe (R-3)
(304) 357-7970
[email protected]