Tag: Concealed Carry Permit

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.

House Holds Public Meeting on Permitless Gun Bill

West Virginia lawmakers are hearing from the public this morning about a proposal to lift permitting requirements to carry concealed handguns.

The House of Delegates Judiciary Committee will scheduled the public meeting for this morning at 8:30 a.m.

Currently, it’s legal in West Virginia to carry a gun without a permit openly, like in a holster.

A bill by Republican Del. Saira Blair would let people cover up guns without a permit in public; for instance, by wearing a coat. People ages 18 through 20 years old would still need a permit under the proposal.

Only a handful of states do not require concealed carry permits.

The bill also increases penalties for felonies committed with a gun.

Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin vetoed a similar bill last year over safety concerns from law enforcement.

W.Va. AG: Concealed-Carry Permits Good in Virginia

West Virginia’s attorney general is assuring gun owners in his state that their concealed-carry handgun permits will continue to be recognized in Virginia after Feb. 1.

 

Patrick Morrisey’s counterpart in Virginia announced this week permits held by handgun owners in 25 states will no longer be valid in Virginia after that date.

Attorney General Mark Herring said Virginia is revoking reciprocity agreements with the states because their concealed weapon laws don’t meet the state’s standards.

 

In a statement issued Thursday, Dec. 24, Morrisey stressed that concealed handgun licenses issued by either state are still recognized by the other.

 

He called the Second Amendment rights of West Virginians “a priority.”

 

Morrisey’s office says West Virginia has full reciprocity agreements with 32 states. In five other states, gun owners are subject to limitations.

Number of Gun Permits Issued in W.Va. Climbs

State police data show more than 13,000 permits to carry concealed guns were issued in West Virginia during the first three months of 2015.

If this pace continues, the Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the state could end the year with the highest total of permits issued since 2009. That’s when the West Virginia State Police began maintaining records.

The number of people obtaining permits peaked at 44,981 permits in 2013. More than 32,000 permits were issued last year.

The totals include new permits and permit renewals. State law requires concealed carry permits to be renewed every five years.

National Rifle Association spokeswoman Amy Hunter says the increase in requests for permits in West Virginia isn’t surprising. She says West Virginia is following a national trend.

Lawmakers OK Bill to Not Require Concealed Carry Permit

Lawmakers have approved a push to make West Virginia the sixth state not to require concealed handgun permits.

The House of Delegates voted 71-29 Thursday to drop concealed carry permit requirements. Arkansas, Alaska, Arizona, Vermont and Wyoming have passed similar laws.

Senators passed their version late last month.

Open carry, like a holster on a hip, is legal without permitting in West Virginia. Thirty-one states have similar open-carry rules.

Covering handguns up with a coat, for instance, requires a permit.

The House version requires people who carry concealed handguns to be 21 years old, with military exceptions.

The state Sheriffs Association opposes the bill, saying it could let more dangerous people carry concealed weapons and take away permit money that helps local law enforcement.

Proponents cited 2nd Amendment arguments.

W.Va. Senate Approves Bill to Not Require Handgun Permits

Senators have approved a push to make West Virginia the sixth state not to require concealed handgun permits.

The Senate’s 32-2 vote Monday would drop concealed carry permit requirements. Arkansas, Alaska, Arizona, Vermont and Wyoming similarly don’t require them.

Open carry, like a holster on a hip, is legal without permitting in West Virginia. Thirty-one states total have similar open-carry rules.

Covering handguns up, like with a coat, requires a permit.

Senators rejected amendments requiring training, prohibiting people younger than 21 from concealed carrying and mandating licenses for nonresidents.

The state Sheriffs Association expressed concerns. Association Executive Director Rodney Miller said officers would have to assume more people had concealed firearms and lacked training.

Proponents cited 2nd Amendment arguments.

The measure heads to the House.

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