Attorney General Morrisey Announces Expanded Concealed Handgun Recognition in West Virginia

FAIRFAX, Va. – The National Rifle Association congratulates Attorney General Patrick Morrisey for expanding concealed carry reciprocity for young West Virginian provisional permit holders.

“Thursday was a great day for gun rights in West Virginia. Now, law-abiding adults aged 18-20 can protect themselves even if they cross state lines,” said Lacey Biles, director of NRA state and local affairs. “This protection ensures that those who choose to take their safety into their own hands can do so even when they’re away from home.”

Morrisey announced on Thursday that provisional permit holders between the ages of 18 and 20 will have expanded concealed carry reciprocity in 16 states. That means provisional permit holders can travel to 16 states and carry their firearm concealed.

The expansion comes on the heels of a major gun rights bill that went into effect in May, HB 4145. That bill allowed permitless concealed carry in West Virginia for those 21 and older, and created a provisional permit for adults 18 to 20 who wished to carry concealed.

West Virginia gun owners 21 and older enjoy concealed carry reciprocity in 35 states.

“Attorney General Morrisey has been committed to protecting the Second Amendment rights of West Virginians since he took office, and the NRA thanks him,” Biles said.

• States which recognize both a provisional CHL and a traditional CHL: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah & Wyoming
• States which only recognize a traditional CHL: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia & Wisconsin
• Additional states where no permit is needed to carry concealed: Maine and Vermont.

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.