Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Legal & Legislation

West Virginia: Permitless Carry Legislation Passes the Senate

Friday, February 27, 2015

West Virginia: Permitless Carry Legislation Passes the Senate

In a critical step towards having permitless carry enacted into law, Senate Bill 347 passed the full Senate today by a 32 to 2 vote.

During the process towards passage today, three unnecessary and misleading amendments were offered by state Senator Mike Romano (D-12) on the Senate floor that would have intruded into and hindered the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners. 

Thanks to common sense and bipartisan support, these three amendments were overwhelmingly defeated.

SB 347, introduced by state Senator Dave Sypolt (R-14), would recognize your right to legally carry a concealed firearm without the requirement of having to obtain a costly and time-restrictive Concealed Handgun License (CHL).  This is a necessary update to concealed carry statutes in West Virginia, allowing law-abiding gun owners the ability to protect themselves and their loved ones.  In West Virginia, it is already legal to carry a firearm openly, as long as the individual is not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.  However, under current law, if a firearm becomes covered by a coat or if a woman prefers to carry a firearm for self-protection in her purse, he or she would need to possess a concealed pistol permit. 

SB 347 gives you the freedom to choose the best method of carrying, based on your attire, gender and/or physical attributes.  Also critically important, this legislation would keep in place the current permitting system so that people who obtain a permit could still enjoy the reciprocity agreements that West Virginia has with other states across the country.

SB 347 now heads to the state House of Delegates for consideration. We expect this bill to be assigned to committee in the coming days and a hearing soon to follow.

Former New York City Mayor and billionaire, Michael Bloomberg, along with his anti-gun groups and agenda, has made his presence known in Charleston in the last few days. The overwhelming support from the Senate today is just the first step toward this common sense legislation becoming law. However, we cannot begin to take this first victory for granted.  Members are encouraged to call and email their state Delegate TODAY, and respectfully let them know that you fully support SB 347 without amendments. 

This NRA-backed bill stands to benefit law-abiding gun owners throughout West Virginia. Thank you to all of our members for their continued support of this bill. Passage of SB 347 could not have been done without your thousands of calls and emails.

Your NRA would also like to thank those Senators who sponsored and co-sponsored this critical legislation.

 

Sponsors of Senate Bill 347:

Senator Dave Sypolt (R-14)
(304) 357-7914
[email protected]

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

Senator Craig Blair (R-15)
(304) 357-7867
[email protected]

Senator Ryan Ferns (R-1)
(304) 357-7918
[email protected]  

Senator Ed Gaunch (R-8)
(304) 357-7841
[email protected]   

Senator Daniel Hall (R-9)
(304) 357-7807
[email protected]  

Senator Robert Karnes (R-11)
(304) 357-7906
[email protected]  

Senator Kent Leonhardt (R-2)
(304) 357-7827
[email protected]  

Senator Mark Maynard (R-6)
(304) 357-7808
[email protected] 

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

TRENDING NOW
Trump’s DOJ Will Participate in Oral Arguments in Illinois Semi-Auto Ban Case

News  

Monday, September 15, 2025

Trump’s DOJ Will Participate in Oral Arguments in Illinois Semi-Auto Ban Case

Within six months of the landmark United States Supreme Court decision of NYSRPA v. Bruen (2022), Illinois disregarded the Court’s clear directives and enacted into law H.B. 5741, the Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA). 

Armed Citizens: Not Just an American Concept

News  

Monday, September 15, 2025

Armed Citizens: Not Just an American Concept

We frequently post stories about law-abiding citizens who, by exercising their rights protected under the Second Amendment, bring an end to violent criminal assaults.  

New York Law Imperils U.S. Olympic Target Shooting, Favors China’s Dominance

News  

Monday, September 15, 2025

New York Law Imperils U.S. Olympic Target Shooting, Favors China’s Dominance

As U.S. shooting sports athletes prepare for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, New York law is burdening target shooters in the Empire State.

Third Circuit Strikes Some New Jersey Carry Restrictions in NRA Case

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Third Circuit Strikes Some New Jersey Carry Restrictions in NRA Case

Yesterday, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion in Siegel v. Platkin, striking some of the carry restrictions New Jersey enacted in response to the NRA’s landmark Supreme Court victory, New York State Rifle & ...

“Sensitive Places” Embolden Criminals and Threaten the Law-abiding

News  

Monday, September 15, 2025

“Sensitive Places” Embolden Criminals and Threaten the Law-abiding

A beyond horrific murder flashed before our eyes in recent weeks, and a nation collectively mourned Iryna Zarutska after the sickening attack that took her life on a public train in Charlotte, North Carolina

California: Legislature Adjourns with Anti-Gun Bills Headed to the Governor's Desk

Monday, September 15, 2025

California: Legislature Adjourns with Anti-Gun Bills Headed to the Governor's Desk

On Friday the California State Legislature adjourned the 2025 legislative session in typical California fashion, advancing anti-gun legislation to Governor Newsom's desk. Contact Governor Newsome today and urge his veto of AB 1078, AB 1127, AB ...

Gun Control “Journalist” Says the Quiet Part Out Loud

News  

Monday, September 8, 2025

Gun Control “Journalist” Says the Quiet Part Out Loud

Pure gun control. As in disarmament and banning of firearms. It’s rare that anti-gunners get straight to the exact point that we have been warning of for decades. 

Colorado: CSSA Files Suit Challenging "Polis Permission Slip" Permit-to-Purchase Law

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Colorado: CSSA Files Suit Challenging "Polis Permission Slip" Permit-to-Purchase Law

Last week, the Colorado State Shooting Association (CSSA), the official state affiliate of NRA, filed a lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 25-003...

Minnesota: Senate Gun Violence Prevention Working Group Meeting on Monday

Friday, September 12, 2025

Minnesota: Senate Gun Violence Prevention Working Group Meeting on Monday

On Monday, September 15th, the Minnesota Senate will hold a special working group on "gun violence prevention."

The Desperate Deflection to the “Red State Murder Problem”

News  

Monday, September 8, 2025

The Desperate Deflection to the “Red State Murder Problem”

California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) may have thought he had scored against President Donald Trump in a recent war of words over rampant crime and the deployment of federal law enforcement agents to Democratic-led cities

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.