Weapons in CMVs - West Virginia

West Virginia is a constitutional carry state, which means law-abiding adults 21 years and older who can legally possess a firearm under federal and state law may carry a concealed handgun without obtaining a permit. Adults 18 to 20 may carry a concealed weapon with a provisional Concealed Handgun License (CHL). This extends to carrying a weapon in a private vehicle.

Permits

State CHLs are not required but may be useful for reciprocity. Permits may be issued to qualified residents and non-residents as well as members of the military who are stationed in West Virginia. Licenses are issued by local county sheriffs’ offices. Applicants must complete a firearms training course. West Virginia has broad reciprocity with other states and recognizes all 50 states’ concealed carry permits.

Other weapons

No weapons other than handguns are approved for concealed carry in West Virginia.

Permitted non-lethal weapons include:

• Stun guns/tasers
• Pepper spray
• Tear gas
• Bear spray (legal for self-defense against wildlife)
• Bludgeons/batons
• Brass knuckles
• Less-lethal launchers

Duty to inform

There is no duty to inform in West Virginia.

Employee parking lots

Employers may not prohibit employees, customers, or other invitees from storing firearms or ammunition in private vehicles as long as:

• The firearm is legally possessed and stored out of view;
• The firearm is locked inside the vehicle; and
• The vehicle is parked in a location where the employee, customer, or other invitee is allowed to be.