Lawmakers Approve Bill to Not Require Concealed Carry Permit
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – 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.
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.
West Virginia joins a collection of elite pro-2nd Amendment states in becoming just the sixth State to pass Constitutional Carry. This means that West Virginians can now carry concealed without the need of filing for a permit.
The state Sheriffs Association of course objected to the passing of this law. They tried to use the reason that it makes their job more difficult, but other Sheriff and Police departments around the country have proven that sentiment to be false
The larger issue, which they admit, is that they are going to lose all that fat permit money. Never mind that this new law will restore Constitutional freedoms to the people of their state, the Sheriffs Association is concerned about losing money.
I sure do hope the people of West Virginia decide to elect better Sheriffs who more faithfully represent the citizens of the State instead of ones that are more concerned with money.
Our hope is that West Virginia becomes a shining example of how Constitutional Carry works, and proves the critics wrong that it in fact does not create a wild west atmosphere or more hostile environment for police.
