MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia’s new conceal carry rules, which eliminate the need for a concealed carry permit, went into effect on Tuesday.
“For those citizens of West Virginia that don’t want to apply for or have possession of a conceal carry permit, they don’t have to anymore. They can just carry a concealed weapon as long as they are a state resident,” explained Monongalia County Sheriff Al Kisner.
The new rules do not give citizens carte blanche to carry a firearm where ever they want.
According to Kisner, there are a number of places residents still cannot carry a concealed weapon.
“Those places include federal government properties, state capital complex, regional jails, detention facilities, division of corrections facilities, county courthouses or any facility housing a court in the state,” Kisner clarified.
Therefore, guns are banned in the Monongalia County Courthouse and Monongalia County Justice Center. Both facilities are equipped with metal detectors and anyone found trying to enter the building with a firearm will be detained and law enforcement will be notified.
Guns will still be prohibited on West Virginia University property and it is still illegal to carry a deadly weapon on a Monongalia County school bus or on school property.
Kisner also points out people carrying a firearm cannot enter a business that posts that weapons are prohibited, even with the new law.
The sheriff advises gun owners to study the new law.
“What we hope is that the general public that wants to carry concealed in West Virginia that doesn’t want to go through the permitting process understands and makes themselves aware of what the law is now, where they can and cannot carry and follow those rules and regulations.”
Plus, once a carrier crosses state lines, West Virginia law may not apply.
“They won’t be permitted to carry in reciprocal states with West Virginia unless they have a conceal carry permit in West Virginia,” added Kisner.