West VirginiaAdults 18 and older may carry concealed deadly weapons without licenses
Starting June 12, 2026, eligible West Virginians age 18 and older may carry concealed deadly weapons without first obtaining a license.
What it does
People age 18 and older who may legally possess firearms may carry concealed deadly weapons without first getting a license.
The measure repeals the section that addressed carrying a deadly weapon without a provisional license or other authorization by people under 21.
People under 18 generally may not possess or carry deadly weapons, but the text keeps exceptions for supervised possession, lawful hunting, and related travel.
Argument forEligible adults ages 18 to 20 could carry concealed deadly weapons without completing a licensing process, if they are otherwise allowed to possess firearms.
Argument againstEasier license-free concealed carry could mean more young adults carry hidden weapons, while the text keeps only the listed eligibility checks and prohibitions.
More detail
A person may carry a concealed deadly weapon without first getting a license. The person must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and allowed to possess a firearm under state and federal law. People barred from possessing firearms remain barred from carrying concealed deadly weapons. The text does not make a license necessary for people who meet these requirements. The enrolled text says this provision takes effect 90 days after passage, on June 12, 2026.
Section 61-7-3 is repealed. The repealed section concerned carrying a deadly weapon without a provisional license or other authorization by people under 21. This record does not establish whether another law continues to impose a similar restriction. The enrolled text says the repeal takes effect 90 days after passage, on June 12, 2026.
A person under 18 who is not married or emancipated may not possess or carry a deadly weapon, subject to listed exceptions. The rule covers unmarried or unemancipated people under 18 and includes both concealed and openly carried deadly weapons. A minor may possess a firearm at home or with required parent, guardian, property-owner, or lessee permission. The text also allows lawful hunting and travel to and from a hunting site. A violation may place the child under circuit-court juvenile jurisdiction and may lead to a delinquency finding. The enrolled text says these provisions take effect 90 days after passage, on June 12, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 13Chapter 75, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Apr 1Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026Major
- Mar 25To Governor 3/25/2026To Governor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - House JournalMajor
- Vote recorded PASSAGE-SENATE AMENDED HB. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded PASSAGE-SENATE AMENDED HB. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 4/1/2026 - Senate JournalBecame Law
- Mar 14To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate JournalMinor
- Mar 14Completed legislative action
- Mar 14Communicated to House
- Mar 14Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 701)
- Mar 14House Message received
- Mar 14Communicated to Senate
- Mar 14House concurred in Senate amendment with amendment (Roll No. 688)
- Mar 14Motion to reconsider
- Mar 14House concurred in Senate amendment with amendment (Roll No. 596)
- Mar 14House refused to agree to Senate title amendment (Voice vote)
- Mar 14House received Senate message
- Mar 13Senate requests House to concur
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 13Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 530)Passed Senate
- Mar 13Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Mar 13Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 13On 3rd reading with right to amend
- Mar 12Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 12Immediate consideration
- Mar 12Reported do pass, with amendment and title amendmentMinor
- Mar 11On 2nd reading, rereferred to JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 11Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 11Immediate consideration
- Mar 11Without recommendation, but first rereferred to JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 18To JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 18To JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 18Introduced in SenateMinor
- Feb 17Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 17Passed House (Roll No. 101)Passed House
- Feb 17Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 17On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 16Amendment rejected (Voice vote)Minor
- Feb 16Amendment reported by the Clerk
- Feb 16Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 16On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 13Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 13On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 12Do pass
- Feb 10Markup Discussion
- Feb 9To House JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 6Markup Discussion
- Feb 6To House Homeland SecurityMinor
- Jan 14To House JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 14Introduced in HouseMinor
- Jan 14To JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 14Filed for introductionIntroduced
Gun PolicyCriminal JusticePublic Safety