West Virginia: Exciting Legislation in Charleston

It has been another busy week in the West Virginia Legislature.  Several Second Amendment bills have been proposed and assigned to committee, including:

House Joint Resolution 103, introduced by Delegate Isaac Sponaugle (D-55), and its companion bill Senate Joint Resolution 10, introduced by state Senator John R. Unger II (D-16), aim to amend the West Virginia Constitution to include a specific Right to Hunt and Fish amendment.  The purpose of this resolution is to protect the right of West Virginians to hunt and fish, to ensure access to hunting and fishing for future generations, and to recognize the need for continued management of the state’s fish and game.  Encourage your state Senators and Delegate(s) to support this Right to Hunt and Fish constitutional amendment.

Senate Bill 298, also introduced by Senator Unger, will clarify the distinction between hunters and shooters in the field.  SB 298 would allow shooters who are in possession of a firearm, in or near the woods, to be exempt from possessing a valid hunting license.  SB 298 is currently awaiting a hearing in the Senate Natural Resources Committee.  Please contact members of this committee and urge them to support SB 298.  Committee members’ contact information can be found here.

Senate Bill 442, also introduced by Senator Unger, would permit a person to legally store a firearm in a private vehicle on state Capitol grounds, provided the firearm is locked away and out of normal view.  SB 442, companion bill to House Bill 4309, is currently awaiting consideration in the Senate Government Organization Committee.  Please contact members of this committee and urge them to support SB 442.  Committee members’ contact information can be found here.

Senate Bill 498, also introduced by Senator Unger, would allow for storage and transportation of a handgun in a glove box or center console of a vehicle without a Concealed Carry Permit (CCP).  SB 498, companion bill to House Bill 4271, is currently awaiting consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee.  Please contact members of this committee and urge them to support SB 498.  Committee members’ contact information can be found here.

We fully expect these bills to be heard in their respective committees in the coming weeks.  Be assured your NRA will notify you as these bills move through the legislative process in West Virginia.  Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your e-mail inbox for further updates.