The House of Representatives passed House Bill 4106 on Tuesday, which would allow 18- to 20-year-olds to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. (Photo by Perry Bennett/West Virginia Legislative Photography)
The West Virginia House of Representatives has approved a bill that would allow 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.
Delegates passed House Bill 4106 mostly party political with a Voted by 87 votes to nine with three members absent.
Since 2016, West Virginia has allowed people over the age of 21 to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.
Open carrying of a weapon is permitted for persons who are at least 18 years ancient and who are not otherwise prohibited from carrying a weapon.
Existing law allows persons ages 18 to 20 to apply for a short-lived license to carry a concealed pistol or revolver. Proof of handgun handling training is required to apply for the provisional license.
The legislature passed a law in 2023 This allows individuals with a concealed carry permit to carry a concealed pistol or revolver on many areas of public college campuses.
The House of Representatives on Monday passed an amendment from Del. Rep. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, that would have circumscribed the ability to carry a concealed weapon to 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds who have served in the armed forces or National Guard, as well as those who have served in state or federal law enforcement.
Hornbuckle urged fellow delegates Tuesday to be cautious about removing training requirements for youthful people who carry concealed weapons.
He estimated the bill would allow an additional 70,000 state residents to carry a concealed weapon without a permit or training.
“I believe that this law will not be synchronized with our campus carry law. It may cause a lot of problems for our universities and may also cost them money since they have to comply with the current law,” Hornbuckle said.
According to a 2023 study According to a study published by researchers at West Virginia University and the American Public Health Association, handgun deaths in West Virginia increased by 45% in the years after the law took effect.
Del. Hollis Lewis, D-Kanawha, also said lawmakers should approach the bill with caution.
“I can tell you from someone who has murdered, killed and shot countless friends at this tender age, that in my opinion lowering the barrier is not the solution,” Lewis said.
“And again, we don’t want to violate anyone’s constitutional rights, but we need common sense guardrails to prevent people from hurting themselves and others,” Lewis said.
Del. Dave Foggin, R-Wood, said the bill is about giving an 18-year-old the ability to control his or her own safety.
“The training is great,” Foggin said. “My children have completed the training. I agree with you. The training is wonderful. But what if you don’t have time for the training? What if you don’t have that opportunity, then you are violating the rules.”
Del. Rep. Josh Holstein, R-Boone, pointed out that people ages 18 to 20 are already allowed to openly carry a gun.
“These people already have access to open carry under current law,” Holstein said. “You don’t put firearms in other people’s hands. It’s just a decision whether it’s concealed carry or not, and that’s what we’re discussing here.”
Of the nine no votes, eight were cast by Democrats in the House of Representatives.
Del. Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, was the only Democrat to vote for the measure. Del. Stanley Adkins, R-Nicholas, was the only Republican to vote against the bill.
The Senate passed a similar bill last weekSenate Bill 30, by a vote of 33 to 1.
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