West Virginia Gun Laws
Gun Laws Overview
RIFLES & SHOTGUNS | HANDGUNS | |
---|---|---|
Permit to Purchase | No | No |
Registration of Firearms | No | No |
Licensing of Owners | No | No |
Permit to Carry | No | No* |
*A permit to carry is available, but it is not required to carry a handgun either openly or concealed for individuals 21 years of age or over. The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information. We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change. The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include: restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL. West Virginia only honors permits or licenses of individuals 21 years of age or over. |
STATE STATUS | |
---|---|
Castle Doctrine | Enacted |
No-Net Loss | Enacted |
Right to Carry Confidentiality | Enacted |
Right to Carry in Restaurants | Legal |
Right To Carry Laws | No Permit Required |
Right To Carry Reciprocity and Recognition | Conditional Recognition |
Right to Keep & Bear Arms State Constitutional Provisions | With Provisions |
Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms
Purchase
It is unlawful for any person to sell, give, rent or lend a firearm to a person prohibited from possessing a firearm. MORE |
Possession
No state permit is required to possess a rifle, shotgun or handgun. MORE |
Carry
West Virginia is a permitless carry state. A person who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm may carry a firearm openly or concealed. MORE |
Machine Guns
It is unlawful to carry, transport or possess any machine gun or sub-machine gun or fully automatic weapon unless properly federally licensed. |
Preemption
...neither a municipality nor the governing body of any municipality may limit the right of any person to purchase, possess, transfer, own, carry, transport, sell or store any revolver, pistol, rifle or shotgun or any ammunition or ammunition components... MORE |
Range Protection
Except as provided in this section, a person may not maintain a nuisance action for noise against a shooting range located in the vicinity of that person's property if the range was established as of the date of the person acquiring the property. MORE |
Miscellaneous
Persons under the age of 18 may not carry or possess firearms unless on family premises or on other property with permission of the owner or lessee. Also excepted is lawful hunting or traveling to or from a hunting site. MORE |
Friday, April 6, 2007
Governor Joe Manchin (D) recently signed into law House Bill 2348--NRA-backed "Emergency Powers" legislation that will prevent state ...
Friday, March 16, 2007
The West Virginia Legislature passed HB3074, important Right-to-Carry reciprocity legislation, and HB2348, emergency powers legislation. Please contact your ...
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Please Contact Your State Delegate Today! Senate Bill 197, sponsored by State Senator Shirley Love (D-11), is in ...
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Because West Virginia`s deer hunters killed more bucks last year, wildlife officials want them to kill more does ...
Friday, March 2, 2007
Please Thank Your State Delegate Today!Two important pro-gun pieces of legislation unanimously passed the West Virginia House of ...
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Please Contact Your State Delegate Today!Two important pieces of Second Amendment legislation are currently making their way through ...
Friday, February 9, 2007
On Friday, February 9, Senate Bill 197, sponsored by Senator Shirley Love (D-11), passed the State Senate unanimously ...
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Shooting an intruder breaking into a West Virginian`s home no longer would expose the homeowner to civil liability ...
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
When Hampshire County hunters brought in 1,335 deer to be screened for chronic wasting disease last fall, biologists ...
Monday, January 1, 2007
Police say Rodney Hendrick and his wife were sleeping when a 24-year-old man smashed a front door window, ...