Key Takeaways
- West Virginia Governor approved House Bill 4106, extending permitless carry to adults aged 18-20, effective June 12, 2026.
- Previously, permitless carry only applied to those 21 and older, creating stricter rules for those under 21.
- The new law allows qualified residents aged 18 and older to carry a concealed weapon without a license, affirming Second Amendment rights regardless of age.
- The law keeps prohibitions for felons and individuals under domestic violence protective orders while clarifying rules for minors.
- Optional licenses remain for those seeking reciprocity in other states.
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia Governor approved House Bill 4106 on April 1, 2026, extending the state’s permitless carry law to adults between the ages of 18 and 20. The law takes effect June 12, 2026, 90 days from its passage by the legislature.
The bill was introduced in the House on January 14, 2026, and passed the House on February 17 before moving to the Senate. The Senate passed the bill with amendments on March 13, and both chambers reconciled the final version on March 14. It was sent to the governor on March 25.
Under the new law, any West Virginia resident who is at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm may carry a concealed deadly weapon without a license. Previously, permitless carry in the state applied only to those 21 and older, while adults under 21 faced a separate and more restrictive set of rules.
HB 4106 repeals the section of state code that made it a crime for persons under 21 to carry a concealed weapon without a license. The bill also removes the exceptions that had previously applied only to 18-to-20-year-olds, folding that age group into the general permitless carry framework.
All existing prohibitions remain in place. Anyone convicted of a felony, subject to a qualifying domestic violence protective order, adjudicated mentally incompetent, or otherwise disqualified under state or federal law is still prohibited from possessing or carrying a firearm.
The law also clarifies rules for minors under 18. Those under 18 who are not married or emancipated are still prohibited from carrying a deadly weapon in public, with limited exceptions for hunting, family property, and situations with parental and property-owner permission.
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The bill was sponsored by Delegates Horst, Brooks, Dean, Holstein, Kimble, Mallow, Martin, Masters, Phillips, Ridenour, and B. Ward.
For law-abiding adults between 18 and 20, this change is significant. Under federal law, this age group can already legally purchase and possess long guns, and many can purchase handguns through private sales. Extending permitless carry to this group recognizes that the Second Amendment does not come with an age qualifier for adults. A 19-year-old has the same right to self-defense as a 30-year-old, and West Virginia’s legislature has now affirmed that in statute.
If you carry in West Virginia or travel through the state, the new law takes effect June 12, 2026. Adults 18 and older who are otherwise eligible will no longer need a license to carry concealed. Optional licenses will remain available for those who want reciprocity in other states.
