WVa Senate passes concealed carry without permit

[AlanM]

W.Va. Senate OKs bill to allow concealed carry without permit

Senators approved a bill Friday (2/27/15) that could make West Virginia the sixth state to allow residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.

After reading aloud from the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, senators voted 32-2 for a bill (SB347) that allows people 18 and older to tote concealed guns.

“The bill eliminates the crime of carrying a concealed weapon in West Virginia,” said Sen. Charles Trump, R-Morgan.

The legislation next goes to the House of Delegates.

Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Vermont and Wyoming are the only states that allow residents to carry a hidden gun without a permit.

West Virginia already allows open carry of a handgun without a permit.

[MarcSpaz]

Heard about this Friday. Very exciting. I hope it passes.

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[M1A4ME]

There goes the almost free guns for some WV police officers.

Back in about 83 or 84 one of the Montgomery, WV police officers came by the office with a "new" gun he'd just bought.

It was one of those Polish Radom 9MM. He wanted to know what it was worth and I really didn't know but he was going to sell it. I asked him why he was going to sell it if he just bought it. He said he only paid $5 for it. $5? I asked him where he got that pistol for $5 and he told me the guys name. I asked him why someone would sell him a handgun for $5 and this is what he said, "I stopped him for suspicion of DUI and the gun was sticking out from under the front seat. I told him carrying a concealed handgun without a permit was an automatic 6 months in jail." The solution? Jail or sell it to the officer for $5. Can't be the driver's gun if the police officer owns, can it.

That was not the only case of that happening (that I heard of) while I was working there.

[jdonovan]

has some repercussions for out of state ccw if the state decides to stop issuing permits.

[SHMIV]

Awesome.

Except, it's rather embarrassing that West Virginia has beaten Virginia to the punch on this.

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[Swampman]

Awesome.

Except, it's rather embarrassing that West Virginia has beaten Virginia to the punch on this.

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Not really. Country folks typically have more common sense than carpetba . . . er, city folks.

[wittmeba]

has some repercussions for out of state ccw if the state decides to stop issuing permits.

Would it be possible for the state of WV to allow anyone visiting the right to CC if the bill passes?

There is reciprocity between these states with many others Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Vermont and Wyoming:
http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/USState ... Honors.pdf

[jdonovan]

my point was, if WVA passes a you don't need a permit law, then stops issuing new permits....

Some other states that honor an out of state permit would not as it stands be able to honor WVA's non-existent permit.

[OakRidgeStars]

States like Arizona and Alaska still issue permits even though they have Constitutional Carry. I'm guessing that this is required in order to support the issuance of non-resident permits. As far as reciprocity agreements with other states, I doubt this will have an impact without additional changes to WV's laws.

[wittmeba]

jd - I do understand what you are saying.

Other states that DO NOT require a permit (those listed above) have found a way to solve the problem. It could be great to have WVA to indicate anyone can OC or CC while visiting - following Arkansas.

Edit: It is Va and everyone else except those listed above, that would need to adjust their reciprocity with WVa. The other direction, no reciprocity exists.

[GarySlider]

From the wording in the bill as it now stands if it passes WV will continue to issue permits. Anyone can carry concealed if they can legally own a firearm. The requirements for a permit does not change. Training class and live fire. Pay the fee to the Sheriff and they will issue you a permit if you pass the NICS check. There should be no change in who honors WV by the passing of this bill.

The way it is worded now Non Residents would be able to carry without any type of permit/license. Open Carry for anyone who can legally own a firearm has been legal in WV a long time. Our previous AG did list on his website that Open Carry was only allowed for residents but that was false. Our present AG removed that reference. I am not positive at this time if the age to carry without a permit is 18 or 21. The way I read the bill it will be 18. Open carry is legal for those 18. The only thing a permit in WV really does is allow a resident of WV 21 or over to conceal a firearm on their person.

It has to go through the house now and the wording in the bill could change. If the bill passes it will be over 90 days before it takes effect so we will have plenty of time to go over the wording and hear what everyone else is saying it allows or doesn't allow. First we have to pass it and get the Governor to sign it.

Who this would really benefit are residents of Maryland who could then carry in WV. I believe that would get a lot more business for retailers etc in our Eastern Panhandle.

[WRW]

Montani semper liberi. GSlider; any idea if duty to inform would be affected?

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[GarySlider]

Not that I see in the bill now. I have not heard of that even being considered. Then again they are politicians and they can come up with some really crazy stuff.

[WRW]

LOL! Witness the Country as she is.

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