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 |
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Hunting may be part of West Virginia`s heritage, but legislators don`t think people ought to pursue that pastime ...
Friday, March 25, 2005
HB 3159 has been introduced by Representative Stemple and will allow Sunday hunting on publicly owned lands in ...
Monday, February 14, 2005
No summary available
Monday, November 15, 2004
Hunting in West Virginia isn`t just a hobby or pastime -- it is a big business generating hundreds ...
Friday, October 22, 2004
Fairfax, VA - The National Rifle Association`s Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) has announced its endorsement of Joe Manchin, ...
Tuesday, September 7, 2004
Dem presidential hopeful John Kerry seen this weekend waving a gun which would have been banned if legislation ...
Sunday, August 1, 2004
Erica Rodeheaver said she and her husband, Russell, owners of Casteel's Store and Dairy King in Hazleton, West ...
Monday, July 19, 2004
Ken Wright came to the Beckley, West Virginia Armory July 16 with 4,000 other Republicans to hear U.S. ...
Monday, March 29, 2004
West Virginia University reinstated the most successful rifle team in NCAA history this week after $100,000 was appropriated ...