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
Permitted

Duty to Notify Law Enforcement

Only when asked by the officer
Permitted

State Parks

Concealed Carry is legal in accordance with state laws that regulate the right to carry
Permitted

Restaurants Serving Alcohol

No restriction
Permitted

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.
Informational

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.
Restricted

Church Carry

Churches act like any other private property and may restrict
on a church by church basis
Informational

Hotels

No legal restriction - Reference article on page 67
Informational

Secure Storage Requirements

None
Permitted

Magazine Capacity Limitations

No restrictions
Permitted

Suppressor Ownership

Ownership legal with federal compliance & Hunting Legal.
Permitted

Vehicle Possession Without Recognized Permit

Anyone 21+ who can legally possess a firearm may have it in a vehicle
Permitted

Firearm Law Uniformity

Mostly uniform. Localities can regulate municipally owned blds and rec centers.
Informational

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.
Informational

Non-Resident Permits

Non-residents may apply
Permitted

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+.
Permitted

Duty to Retreat

No Duty to Retreat
Permitted

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
Informational

State Contact / Source

West Virginia Attorney General
Capitol Bldg. 1, #26E
Charleston, WV 25305
304-558-2021
www.ago.wv.gov
Informational

Permit Issuing Authority

State Police
Informational

Length of Permit Validity

5 Years
Informational

Permit Application Process

Apply at your local county sheriff office
Informational

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.

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