Click here to view West Virginia's Permit Map at the bottom of the page. If you would like to contribute to this page, please post the information in the State Forums.
Concealed Permit:
Shall Issue to Residents only
Issuing Authority:
Application for a license to carry is made to the sheriff of the county where one resides.
Out Of State Permit Issue:
West Virginia does not issue permits to non-residents.
NICS/Background Check:
NICS:
The sheriff shall issue or deny the license within 45 days after the application is filed if the background checks have been completed.
Permit Valid For:
The license is good for five years, unless revoked.
Permit Issued Timeline:
The sheriff shall issue or deny the license within 45 days after the application is filed if the background checks have been completed.
Cost:
The application filing fee is $75.00. An additional fee of $15 is required when the license is approved and issued.
Requirements:
1. Be a citizen or lawful resident of the United States and a resident of the state and county in which application is made.
2. Be over the age of 21 years. Those under 21 who already have a license to carry a concealed weapon shall be able to keep their licenses.
3. Not be addicted to or an unlawful user of alcohol or controlled substances.
4. Not have been convicted of a felony or an act of violence involving the misuse of firearms or deadly weapons.
5. Be physically and mentally competent to carry such weapon.
6. Have no criminal charges pending and currently not serving a sentence of confinement, parole or probation because of a charge of domestic violence; and is not the subject of a restraining order as a result of domestic violence.
7. Not have been adjudicated to be mentally incompetent.
8. The applicant has qualified under minimum requirements for handling and firing a pistol or revolver. Persons applying for a license must have completed a training course in handling and firing a handgun. The successful completion of any of the following courses fulfills this training requirement:
a) any official National Rifle Association handgun safety or training course;
b) 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, organization, or handgun training school utilizing instructors duly certified by such institution;
c) 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;
d) any handgun training or safety course or class conducted by any branch of the United States military, reserve or national guard.
The training requirement is waived in the case of a renewal applicant who has previously qualified.
Required Documents:
1. Training course certificate
2. Driver's license or a state-issued ID
3. Seventy-five-dollar fee to apply plus an additional $15 when you receive the permit
Renewal Information:
The training requirement is waived in the case of a renewal applicant who has previously qualified.
Change of Address:
Lost or Destroyed Permit:
Informing Law Enforcement of Carry:
All licensees must carry with them a state issued photo identification card with the concealed weapons license whenever the licensee is carrying a concealed weapon.
Automobile carry:
Individuals who possess a valid concealed carry permit may carry a concealed handgun in a motor vehicle for purpose of self defense only. West Virginia permits anyone who can lawfully possess a handgun to carry an unconcealed handgun. If you choose to carry an unconcealed handgun in your vehicle and are stopped by a law-enforcement officer, you must understand that that the weapon will immediately attract the attention of the police officer. The presence of the weapon may lead to action by the officer to ensure his or her safety such as the drawing of his or her weapon, ordering you from the vehicle, and/or performing a pat-down search. Weapons intended for hunting must be unloaded and in a case when transported in a vehicle. It is strongly recommended that, if you do not have a valid concealed carry permit, while traveling in a vehicle, that all firearms be unloaded and cased in a location in the vehicle that is not readily accessible to any of the occupants. Any ammunition should be stored in a separate location from the firearm.
Places off-limits when carrying:
Although a CHL authorizes the licensee to carry statewide, other state laws restrict or prohibit the carrying of weapons, openly or concealed, in certain locations. Having a valid CHL is not a defense or exception to the prohibitions under West Virginia law on carrying in any of the following areas:
1. The grounds of any jail, state correctional facility, juvenile facility or juvenile detention center, unless specifically authorized by the authorities in control of the facility (§61-5-8(c))
2. Primary or secondary school property (§61-7-11a(b))
3. School buses (§61-7-11a(b))
4. Primary or secondary school-sponsored functions or events (§61-7-11a(b))
5. Courthouses (§61-7-11a(g))
6. Anywhere on the State Capitol Complex, including the grounds outside the buildings (§61-6-19(b))
7. Wherever signs are posted indicating weapon restrictions or where notice has been given by other means. (§61-7-14) However, a person is not subject to the misdemeanor penalty provided for a violation of any such restriction unless that person refuses to either leave or temporarily relinquish his or her weapon, upon being confronted about the violation.
In addition to these locations, federal law prohibits carrying in, among other places:
1. Any building or part of a building owned or leased by the federal government where federal employees are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties (18 U.S.C. § 930)
2. The secure areas of airports
Please note that under the prohibition on carrying on school property, a person with a CHL cannot have a loaded gun in their car even if that person only temporarily drives his or her vehicle onto school grounds with the intent of quickly leaving without exiting the vehicle. Many states have recognized the inherent problems with similar laws and have, in some states, completely exempted CHL holders from their gun-free school zone laws or, in many other states, created exemptions to allow CHL holders to legally carry and store loaded handguns in their vehicle while driving or parking on school property.
Second, our State Capitol carry ban, enacted in 2002, does not seem to contain an exemption to legally permit a CHL holder to even leave a gun in his or her car if that car is parked in a parking lot or garage on the Capitol complex. Violations of this statute are misdemeanors punishable by up to 6 months in jail; because the penalty for a first offense of illegally carrying a concealed weapon without a license is up to 1 year in jail, this statute only affects CHL holders and a very small number of non-CHL holders who openly carry. Neighboring Virginia allows anyone with a CHL to carry anywhere in their state capitol, even into meetings of the General Assembly or legislative committees.
Alcohol and Drugs:
Possession is denied to addicts or unlawful users of alcohol or controlled substances.
Deadly Force / Castle Doctrine:
West Virginia is a Castle Doctrine state and has a stand-your-ground law.
Open Carry:
Unrestricted under state law; some localities may regulate this independently.
Localities with Varying Laws:
Contact your local county sheriff.
Forms & Links:
West Virginia Citizens Defense League
NRA-ILA: West Virginia Gun Laws
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