Tag: Conceal Carry

University Board Of Governors Makes Way For Concealed Carry On Campus

Updated: April 16, 9:45 a.m.

West Virginia’s colleges and universities will be required by a new law to allow students to carry concealed deadly weapons on campus starting July 1. 

In March, Gov.  Jim Justice signed the Campus Self-Defense Act into law. It allows, with some exceptions, anyone with a permit to concealed carry on the campus of any public institution of higher education. 

On April 12, WVU’s Board of Governors approved a rule initiated by the law. Handheld guns like revolvers and pistols will be allowed on campus and must be concealed and carried by a person licensed to do so. 

Concealed Carry will still not be allowed at many places on campus including most university stadiums or arenas, daycares, some health care facilities, and anywhere on campus where possession of a firearm is prohibited by state law. 

For non-employees, handheld firearms will still be banned from dorms but will be allowed in common areas.

The law will take effect on July 1. A webinar is scheduled for Thursday to update students, faculty and staff on the implementation of this rule. 

Updated to reflect that it requires a concealed carry permit to carry on campus.

W.Va. House OKs Bill to Not Require Concealed Carry Permit

Members of the House of Delegates once again held a marathon floor session debating a bill supporters say protects the constitutional rights of their constituents. The bill would allow West Virginians of a certain age to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Many Democrats expressed safety concerns over the measure, and attempted to amend the bill on its third reading Monday.

House Bill 4145 was up for passage Monday but with twelve pending amendments.

But first, what does this bill do? It allows West Virginians between 18 and 21 to be eligible for a concealed carry permit. After 21, that person would not need a permit to carry a concealed handgun or other deadly weapon.

One of the twelve amendments suggested came from House Judiciary Chairman, John Shott of Mercer County. His amendment would give a tax credit of up to $100 to anyone in the state who still goes through the permitting process. That amendment was approved.

The remaining eleven amendments were debated for roughly two hours. One would have kept training requirements for people who want to carry a concealed weapon, another suggested only residents of West Virginia be able to forego having a permit, and another suggested those who carry a handgun or deadly weapon pay insurance for those weapons.

All of the amendments failed, except for one that would exempt probation officers from the list of those who could carry guns onto school grounds.

After amendments, members of both sides debated the bill.

Delegate Saira Blair is a Republican from Berkeley County. She’s the youngest member in the House of Delegates at just nineteen years-old, and she’s also the lead sponsor of the bill.

“I’m the only person standing in this chamber in the 18 to 21 year old age period. I can currently not get a permit to carry, and I’ll tell you right now, I am scared. I’ve received multiple death threats in the past year. I am scared. I’m not going to stop what I do on a daily basis; I’m not going to stop going to the mall, I’m not going to stop going to the movies, and I’m not going to stop going to church because of it, but I would feel safer as a law abiding citizen if I knew that I was able to protect myself.” – Delegate Saira Blair, R-Berkeley County

House Bill 4145 passed 68 to 31 and now goes to the Senate for its consideration.

State May Weigh Measure to Allow Concealed Guns Without Permit

After West Virginia’s governor vetoed the idea earlier this year, a push to let people carry hidden guns without permits is regaining steam.

In March, Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin vetoed a measure making concealed carry permits optional. He cited safety concerns and an outcry from law enforcement. However, Republican state Senate President Bill Cole says there is enough support for the measure to revisit it in January.

It’s legal to carry a gun openly — like in a holster — without a permit in West Virginia. With the proposed change, gun carriers wouldn’t need a permit to cover their weapons with a coat, or something similar. Few states allow concealed weapons to be carried without a permit.

If Tomblin vetoes the bill again, the Republican-led Legislature would need only a simple majority to overturn the veto.

Eastern Panhandle Lawmakers Discuss 2015 Legislative Session

The Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce held a public forum Tuesday bringing together lawmakers from the Eastern Panhandle to discuss this past session.

Eleven Eastern Panhandle lawmakers attended the event to share with the community their achievements and disappointments from this year’s legislative session.  Each legislator was given five minutes to speak about their experience.

Many Republican lawmakers expressed feelings of accomplishment after all of their hard work, while Democratic lawmakers said some bills were introduced that were unnecessary or a political ploy.

Delegate Jill Upson of Jefferson County was one of many delegates new to the legislative process this year. Upson says having public forums like the one sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce are important for the community.

“It’s a good format because you’re able to sit at the table and have lunch with community members that you probably wouldn’t meet under other circumstances,” Upson noted, “so I like that aspect about the forum. And then the fact that they give the audience a chance to write down questions and so you can kind of get that much needed feedback that you get from being down in Charleston where sometimes people sometimes end up living in a bubble. So I always like hearing from the general public what their thoughts are.”

Of the issues mentioned, the most discussed were changes to the state’s prevailing wage, drugs, energy, conceal carry, common core, and transportation. Many eastern panhandle legislators also agreed Senate Bill 574, or as some lawmakers called it the Bloomery Bill which gave tax relief to distilleries and mini-distilleries in the state, was a big success for their area.

Bloomery Sweetshine Distillery located in Charles Town closed their doors during the session because they said their previous qualification as a liquor store was too expensive and killing their business. The bill helped them reopen their doors earlier this month.

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