West Virginia Senate Committee Passes Constitutional Carry

Feb 24, 2015 | 0 comments

 West Virginia Looking To Become A Constitutional Carry State

By a unanimous vote, a West Virginia Senate Panel passed legislation to legalize Constitutional Carry.  This permitless carry legislation, introduced by state Senator Dave Sypolt , would recognize West Virginians right to legally carry a concealed firearm without first having to obtain Concealed Handgun License (CHL).

This would make West Virginia the fifth state not to require concealed handgun permits under a legislative proposal. Alaska, Arizona, Vermont and Wyoming are currently the four other states with Constitutional Carry on the books.

Unfortunately, the West Virginia Sheriffs Association did not support the bill and cited potential dangers in not requiring permits. It is very important that law enforcement understand and support the need for citizens to be able to protect themselves and their loved ones. Having the support of your local Sheriff means they respect your right to carry a weapon for self defense.

Association Executive Director Rodney Miller said “law enforcement would have to assume more people had concealed firearms and lacked required training.” One can take these words as a warning that law enforcement will have to be more aggressive and suspicious of the population; and treat citizens as such. Again, it is a shame that these Sheriff’s cannot support local law abiding citizens with the responsibility to defend themselves.

Before Constitutional Carry gets passed into law, it still needs to pass both the Senate and the House. SB 347 will be up for a vote on the floor of the Senate this week, the House has yet to review the proposal.