On The Mark - July 2024 - a Guide TO COnCealed handGun laws in wesT VirGinia

Sep 30, 2026

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Prepared by the Office of the West Virginia Attorney General, this booklet explains West Virginia’s concealed handgun (CHL) framework alongside “constitutional carry.” It covers who may carry without first obtaining a CHL, how optional CHLs and provisional CHLs work, and what residents and nonresidents must do to apply. It also highlights important limits on reciprocity, school-ground restrictions, and the need to follow federal, state, and local firearm laws when traveling out of West Virginia.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages30

Reading Time1 h 16 min

AccessFree to download

Message from the Office of the West Virginia Attorney General

Constitutional Carry and Concealed Handgun Licenses

Optional CHL

Obtaining a Concealed Handgun License

Locations in West Virginia Where Firearms Are Forbidden or Restricted

Firearms in State Parks and Other State Areas

CHL Reciprocity and Recognition

Frequently Asked Questions

Relevant Provisions of State Law

West Virginia County Sheriffs’ Offices

On The Mark a Guide TO COnCealed handGun laws in wesT VirGinia JULY 2024 FrOM The OFFiCe OF The wesT VirGinia aTTOrney General [www.wvago.gov](www.wvago.gov) Table of Contents MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE WEST VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL....................................... 1 CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY AND CONCEALED HANDGUN LICENSES ..........................................................2 OBTAINING A CONCEALED HANDGUN LICENSE .............................................................................................4 LOCATIONS IN WEST VIRGINIA WHERE FIREARMS ARE FORBIDDEN OR RESTRICTED ......................6 FIREARMS IN STATE PARKS AND OTHER STATE AREAS ..................................................................................7 CHL RECIPROCITY AND RECOGNITION..............................................................................................................8 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.........................................................................................................................10 RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF STATE LAW...............................................................................................................12 WEST VIRGINIA COUNTY SHERIFFS’ OFFICES ...................................................................................................25 [www.wvago.gov](www.wvago.gov) Message from the Office of the West Virginia Attorney Message from the Office of the West Virginia Attorney General The Office of the Attorney General has prepared this booklet to assist West Virginians in learning about state concealed handgun laws and the other states that recognize your West Virginia concealed handgun license. Please remember that firearm laws are not governed solely by West Virginia law. You must comply with any applicable federal, state, or local laws and regulations, most of which are not contained in this handbook. When traveling to another state, you must be sure to comply with the applicable firearm laws of that state. For any non-resident that receives a West Virginia concealed handgun license, this is especially important. Most states only recognize out-of-state concealed handgun licenses that are held by people from out of state. In other words, your home state might not recognize your West Virginia concealed handgun license when you are in your home state. Both optional concealed handgun licenses and mandatory provisional concealed handgun licenses referenced herein are issued by the sheriff ’s office in your county of residence. A list of those offices is contained herein. The information provided in this handbook is subject to changes in state law. You can always find up-to-date information occurring after the publication date of this handbook on our website ([www.wvago.gov](www.wvago.gov)). 1 [www.wvago.gov](www.wvago.gov) CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY & CONCEALED HANDGUN LICENSES West Virginia recognizes the right of persons who are 21 years of age or older, not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm, and United States citizens or legal residents thereof to carry a concealed weapon within the state without first obtaining a concealed handgun license (“CHL”) . This is commonly known as “constitutional carry.” Although West Virginia is a constitutional carry state, an optional CHL may still be obtained by those persons who are residents of West Virginia and desire the benefit of obtaining such license. Also, for qualified non prohibited persons who are at least 18 years of age and less than 21 years of age, state law allows for a provisional concealed handgun license (“Provisional CHL”) asa lawful means to carry concealed handguns. These licenses are more fully explained below. IMPORTANT NOTE: West Virginia’s constitutional carry law applies only to persons physically in the State of West Virginia. It does NOT authorize you to carry a concealed weapon in another state without a license. You MUST o

FAQs

What is “constitutional carry” in West Virginia?

West Virginia allows persons 21 years of age or older who are not prohibited by state or federal law to carry a concealed weapon in the state without first obtaining a CHL.

Can residents still obtain an optional CHL even with constitutional carry?

Yes. Optional CHLs may be obtained by eligible West Virginia residents who want the benefits of holding a CHL, including recognition in other states and limited circumstances involving certain school grounds.

How do nonresidents apply for a West Virginia CHL?

Nonresidents apply using the same general requirements as residents, but they may submit their application to any county sheriff and pay applicable fees to the sheriff they select.

Sep 30, 2026

Upload by Mimi