West Virginia State Laws
| Open Carry: | Lawful |
| Duty to Notify Law Enforcement: | Only when asked by the officer |
| State Parks: | Concealed Carry is legal in accordance with state laws that regulate the right to carry |
| Restaurants Serving Alcohol: | No restriction |
| Firearms at Colleges: | Concealed Carry on public "higher education campuses" with permit allowed. School may have their own restrictions at stadiums, daycare facilities, secure areas, offices, and a few other places. |
| Firearms at K-12 Schools: | WV permittee with loaded handgun in vehicle ONLY lawful; permittee must be at least 21 and lock gun in secure compartment when car is unoccupied. |
| Magazine Capacity Limitations: | No restrictions |
| Suppressor Ownership: | Ownership legal with federal compliance & Hunting Legal. |
| Vehicle Possession Without Recognized Permit: | Anyone 21+ who can legally possess a firearm may have it in a vehicle |
| Firearm Law Uniformity: | Mostly uniform. Localities can regulate municipally owned blds and rec centers. |
| Permit Training Requirements: |
Take a training course which could include any of the following: (1) Any official National Rifle Association handgun safety or training course; (2) Any handgun safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by an official law-enforcement organization, community college, junior college, college or private or public institution or organization or handgun training school utilizing instructors duly certified by the institution; (3) Any handgun training or safety course or class conducted by a handgun instructor certified as such by the state or by the National Rifle Association; (4) Any handgun training or safety course or class conducted by any branch of the United States Military, Reserve or National Guard. |
| Permit Issuing Authority: | State Police |
| State Contact Info: |
West Virginia Attorney General Capitol Bldg. 1, #26E Charleston, WV 25305 304-558-2021 www.ago.wv.gov |
| Length of Permit Validity: | 5 Years |
| Permit Application Process: | Apply at your local county sheriff office |
| Non-Resident Permits: | Non-residents may apply |
| Places Off Limits: |
1. Federal government properties or other places where firearms are prohibited by federal law. This includes areas of restricted access in airports. 2. Any property where firearms are prohibited by the owner, lessee or other person charged with the care, custody and control of the real property.1 3. The State Capitol Complex. 4. Regional jails, detention facilities or State Division of Corrections facilities. 5. County courthouses or any facility housing a court of this state. 6. Any Public or Private primary or secondary school building, grounds or property, at any school sponsored function or on any school bus or conveyance.2 7. Any building or area limited by municipal code. Where Cities/Municipalities May Ban Carry (From the West Virginia Citizens Defense League) SB317 (2014 session) preemption made state law uniform. Cities may not ban carry on property in excess of what state law allows. This was a major win for firearms rights, as it removed a minefield where various cities had different laws. Places cities may ban carry: City Hall Convention Centers Administrative Buildings Other buildings used for the business of city government, not to include parks and garages Open carry without a CHL on city property Open carry without a license at a festival/fair/event where streets or sidewalks are blocked for the event |
| Duty to Retreat: | No Duty to Retreat |
| Constitutional Carry: | Yes. No permit is needed to open carry for residents and non residents 18+ and for concealed carry for residents and non residents 21+. |
| Hotels: | No legal restriction - Reference article on page 67 |
| Church Carry: |
Churches act like any other private property and may restrict on a church by church basis |
| Secure Storage Requirements: | None |
Powered by
This information is provided by Concealed Carry Inc (ConcealedCarry.com) via license. All rights reserved. While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with competent legal counsel before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc and CCW Safe are not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. This information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us here.