West Virginia Concealed Carry: Laws and Reciprocity

West Virginia does not issue nonresident permits. Despite allowing constitutional carry, those wishing to obtain a concealed carry permit in West Virginia must be a legal resident of the state.

“the applicant is a bona fide United States citizen or legal resident thereof and resident of this state and of the county in which the application is made […]“

Relevant Code(s):

Section 61-7-4

Applications must be processed, and applicants must be approved or denied a concealed carry permit within 45 days.

“The sheriff shall issue, reissue or deny the license within forty-five days after the application is filed if all required background checks authorized by this section are completed“

Relevant Code(s):

Section 61-7-4

The total cost for the issuance of a West Virginia concealed carry permit is $100. At the time of application, a fee of $75 is collected. Additionally, before the issuance of an approved license, another $25 must be paid to the sheriff of the county who will send it onto the WV Police.

However, those applying for a provisional license in the state will need to pay a fee of $25 upon application. Another $15 will be paid to the sheriff before the provisional permit is issued. Therefore, the total cost of a provisional concealed carry permit is $40.

“Before any approved license is issued or is effective, the applicant shall pay to the sheriff a fee in the amount of $25 which the sheriff shall forward to the Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police within thirty days of receipt. The license is valid for five years throughout the state“

Relevant Code(s):

Section 61-7-4

Section 61-7-4A

In order to be eligible for the issuance of a WV concealed carry permit, applicants must prove firearms competency. The completion of a training course, which includes a live fire exercise satisfies the requirement. However, education conducted exclusively online is not acceptable. Furthermore, approved courses can include the following:

• official NRA handgun safety or training course
• course available to the general public handgun safety and training using certified instructors from the institution
• State or NRA certified instructor
• Proof of instruction in the military/armed services

Nothing in WV code prescribes the duration of the training, or live fire qualifying criteria. Furthermore, nothing describes whether the classroom training or range exercises culminate in any form of examination. 

“All persons applying for a license must complete a training course in handling and firing a handgun, which includes the actual live firing of ammunition by the applicant.“

Relevant Code(s):

Section 61-7-4

Nothing in WV code expressly prohibits the carrying of handguns in any place of worship. Therefore, it is legal to carry within a church for an eligible individual. However, any private establishment has the right to prohibit the carrying of firearms on premises, as stated in the following code:

“Any natural person carrying or possessing a firearm or other deadly weapon on the property of another who refuses to temporarily relinquish possession of the firearm or other deadly weapon, upon being requested to do so, or to leave the premises, while in possession of the firearm or other deadly weapon, is guilty of a misdemeanor […]“

Relevant Code(s):

Section 61-7-14

Nothing expressly forbids an eligible individual from carrying a concealed handgun into any financial institution. Therefore, it is legal to carry a handgun into a bank, unless there is posted signage or verbal communication prohibiting possession of a firearm on the property. banks are subject to the same restrictions as churches, and hospitals.

Relevant Code(s):

Section 61-7-14

Hospitals are not expressly addressed in WV code as places where concealed carry is prohibited. Therefore, an eligible individual can carry into a hospital or other medical facility, provided there is no signage prohibiting an individual from doing so. Those wishing to carry into these types of establishments should pay attention to anything indicating that firearms are prohibited.

“[…] who refuses to temporarily relinquish possession of the firearm or other deadly weapon, upon being requested to do so, or to leave the premises, while in possession of the firearm or other deadly weapon, is guilty of a misdemeanor […]”

Relevant Code(s):

Section 61-7-14