Contact Governor Tomblin today in support of four important pro-gun bills!
In an overwhelming show of bipartisan support, the state House of Delegates passed Senate Bill 347, permitless carry legislation, Thursday by a 71-29 vote. The House changes were then concurred in the Senate yesterday, and SB 347 was transmitted to Governor Earl Ray Tomblin (D) last night for his consideration. This is a huge victory for law-abiding gun owners in West Virginia and supporters of the Second Amendment around the country!
SB 347 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), while still keeping 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. The version of SB 347 being sent to Governor Tomblin for his signature was a combined effort between the NRA, the West Virginia Citizen’s Defense League and the West Virginia Sheriff’s Association to act in good faith to make a better bill for all those involved. The adopted committee substitute changes the age for those who can legally carry from 18 to 21, adds enhanced penalties for felony crimes with a firearm and allows for the recouping of legal fees from unlawful permit denials.
Your NRA wants to extend a huge debt of gratitude to our members around the state who took time out of their busy lives to make phone calls, send emails and show up to the Capitol in Charleston in support of SB 347.
Your NRA would also like to thank all those members of the West Virginia Legislature who supported this bill in both the state House and the state Senate. We would like to specifically thank the West Virginia Citizens Defense League and the below legislators, who went above and beyond in seeing this bill through to final passage:
Senator Dave Sypolt
Senator Bob Beach
Senator Craig Blair
Senator Ed Gaunch
Senator Daniel Hall
Senator Robert Karnes
Senator Kent Leonhardt
Senator Mark Maynard
Senator Bob Williams
Senator Ryan Ferns
Senator Mitch Carmichael
Senate President Bill Cole
Delegate Patrick Lane
Delegate Josh Nelson
Delegate Rupie Phillips
Delegate Mike Folk
Delegate Justin Marcum
Delegate John O’Neal
Speaker of the House Tim Armstead
Delegate Gary Howell
Delegate Brad White
We are only a few strokes of the pen away from having this bill become law. But the anti-gun extremists of the world, including former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his anti-gun groups, are heaping a tremendous amount of pressure on Governor Tomblin to veto this bill. It is critical that you call and email Governor Earl Ray Tomblin TODAY and every day until he signs SB 347 into law. Please politely ask him to SUPPORT AND SIGN Senate Bill 347.
Governor Tomblin can be reached by phone at 304-558-2000 and by email here.
Two other NRA-backed pro-gun bills also received final passage in the West Virginia Legislature this week and have also been transmitted to the Governor for his consideration and signature.
On Thursday, Senate Bill 284 passed unanimously in the House of Delegates. Introduced by state Senator David Nohe (R-3), SB 284 would require that a chief law enforcement officer (CLEO) sign an application for the transfer of any item regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA) within 30 days if the applicant is not prohibited by law from receiving it. By removing any possibility of personal bias and creating a statewide standard, SB 284 would protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners across the Mountain State.
On Wednesday, House Bill 2128 passed unanimously in the state Senate with an amended title, and received a concurrence vote in the House of Delegates on Thursday. Introduced by state Delegate Gary Howell (R-56), HB 2128 would permit individuals with a concealed handgun license to legally store a firearm in their private vehicle on state Capitol grounds.
House Bill 2636 passed in the state Senate today, however it’s still awaiting a vote of concurrence in the House of Delegates. Introduced by state Delegate Michael Folk (R-63), would exempt information contained in a concealed handgun license application from the Freedom of Information Act. This respects all law-abiding concealed carry holders’ right to privacy by closing to the public the list of residents with concealed carry licenses.
Please contact Governor Tomblin immediately and encourage he sign all four of these important pro-gun protections into law.
Again, Governor Tomblin can be reached by phone at 304-558-2000 and by email here.
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