West Virginia Concealed Carry Laws
Last reviewed: May 3, 2026
Constitutional Carry
Yes. No permit is needed to open carry for residents and non residents 18+ and for concealed carry for residents and non residents 21+.
Open Carry
Lawful
Permit honored in
36 states
West Virginia honors
36 states
West Virginia Gun Laws
Open Carry
Lawful
Duty to Notify Law Enforcement
Only when asked by the officer
State Parks
Concealed Carry is legal in accordance with state laws that regulate the right to carry
Restaurants Serving Alcohol
No restriction
Firearms at Colleges
Concealed Carry on public "higher education campuses" with permit allowed. School may have their own restrictions at stadiums, daycare facilities, secure areas, offices, and a few other places.
Firearms at K-12 Schools
WV permittee with loaded handgun in vehicle ONLY lawful; permittee must be at least 21 and lock gun in secure compartment when car is unoccupied.
Church Carry
Churches act like any other private property and may restrict
on a church by church basis
on a church by church basis
Hotels
No legal restriction - Reference article on page 67
Secure Storage Requirements
None
Magazine Capacity Limitations
No restrictions
Suppressor Ownership
Ownership legal with federal compliance & Hunting Legal.
Vehicle Possession Without Recognized Permit
Anyone 21+ who can legally possess a firearm may have it in a vehicle
Firearm Law Uniformity
Mostly uniform. Localities can regulate municipally owned blds and rec centers.
Permit Training Requirements
Take a training course which could include any of the following:
(1) Any official National Rifle Association handgun safety or training course;
(2) 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 or organization or handgun training school utilizing instructors duly certified by the
institution;
(3) 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;
(4) Any handgun training or safety course or class conducted by any branch of the United States
Military, Reserve or National Guard.
(1) Any official National Rifle Association handgun safety or training course;
(2) 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 or organization or handgun training school utilizing instructors duly certified by the
institution;
(3) 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;
(4) Any handgun training or safety course or class conducted by any branch of the United States
Military, Reserve or National Guard.
Non-Resident Permits
Non-residents may apply
Constitutional Carry
Yes. No permit is needed to open carry for residents and non residents 18+ and for concealed carry for residents and non residents 21+.
Duty to Retreat
No Duty to Retreat
Places Off Limits
1. Federal government properties or other places where firearms are prohibited by federal law. This
includes areas of restricted access in airports.
2. Any property where firearms are prohibited by the owner, lessee or other person charged with the care,
custody and control of the real property.1
3. The State Capitol Complex.
4. Regional jails, detention facilities or State Division of Corrections facilities.
5. County courthouses or any facility housing a court of this state.
6. Any Public or Private primary or secondary school building, grounds or property, at any school
sponsored function or on any school bus or conveyance.2
7. Any building or area limited by municipal code.
Where Cities/Municipalities May Ban Carry (From the West Virginia Citizens Defense League)
SB317 (2014 session) preemption made state law uniform. Cities may not ban carry on property in excess of
what state law allows. This was a major win for firearms rights, as it removed a minefield where various
cities had different laws. Places cities may ban carry:
City Hall
Convention Centers
Administrative Buildings
Other buildings used for the business of city government, not to include parks and garages
Open carry without a CHL on city property
Open carry without a license at a festival/fair/event where streets or sidewalks are blocked for the
event
includes areas of restricted access in airports.
2. Any property where firearms are prohibited by the owner, lessee or other person charged with the care,
custody and control of the real property.1
3. The State Capitol Complex.
4. Regional jails, detention facilities or State Division of Corrections facilities.
5. County courthouses or any facility housing a court of this state.
6. Any Public or Private primary or secondary school building, grounds or property, at any school
sponsored function or on any school bus or conveyance.2
7. Any building or area limited by municipal code.
Where Cities/Municipalities May Ban Carry (From the West Virginia Citizens Defense League)
SB317 (2014 session) preemption made state law uniform. Cities may not ban carry on property in excess of
what state law allows. This was a major win for firearms rights, as it removed a minefield where various
cities had different laws. Places cities may ban carry:
City Hall
Convention Centers
Administrative Buildings
Other buildings used for the business of city government, not to include parks and garages
Open carry without a CHL on city property
Open carry without a license at a festival/fair/event where streets or sidewalks are blocked for the
event
State Contact / Source
West Virginia Attorney General
Capitol Bldg. 1, #26E
Charleston, WV 25305
304-558-2021
www.ago.wv.gov
Capitol Bldg. 1, #26E
Charleston, WV 25305
304-558-2021
www.ago.wv.gov
Permit Issuing Authority
State Police
Length of Permit Validity
5 Years
Permit Application Process
Apply at your local county sheriff office
West Virginia Permit Reciprocity
Reciprocity shown is for a standard resident permit. Non-resident and enhanced permit holders may have different reciprocity. Always verify before carrying. Use our full permit reciprocity map for all permit types →
Your West Virginia resident permit is honored in 36 states
AK
AL
AR
AZ
CO
DE
FL
GA
IA
ID
IN
KS
KY
LA
MI
MN
MO
MS
MT
NC
ND
NE
NH
NV
OH
OK
PA
SC
SD
TN
TX
UT
VA
VT
WI
WY
West Virginia honors resident permits from 36 states
AK
AL
AR
AZ
CO
DE
FL
GA
IA
ID
IN
KS
KY
LA
MI
MO
MS
MT
NC
ND
NE
NH
NM
NV
OH
OK
PA
SC
SD
TN
TX
UT
VA
VT
WI
WY
Disclaimer:
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.
Legal Summaries for all 50 states are available free on our site and mobile app.
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.
Legal Summaries for all 50 states are available free on our site and mobile app.



