West Virginia: Permitless Carry Legislation Scheduled for Hearing This Week

On Wednesday, January 27, the House Judiciary Committee will receive testimony on House Bill 4145, legislation that would allow a law-abiding individual, who is 21 years of age or older, to lawfully carry a concealed handgun for self-defense without a permit.  HB 4145 also addresses a current deficiency in state law that prohibits an individual who is between the ages of 18 and 21 from obtaining a concealed weapon permit. 

As previously reported, the provisions of HB 4145 are intended to protect law-abiding individuals who wish to exercise their fundamental right of self-defense.  HB 4145 will not allow individuals who are prohibited from possessing a firearm, under state or federal law, to lawfully carry a concealed handgun. 

Unfortunately, it already appears that anti-gun interests in Charleston are attempting to undermine this important legislation.  Among the many unfavorable amendments that are being contemplated is a "duty to inform" provision.  This ambiguous provision would require a law-abiding individual to disclose, upon any interaction with law enforcement, that they possess a firearm.  Such provisions are wrought with problems and subject law-abiding gun owners to prosecution for simply forgetting or waiting too long to disclose that they have a firearm.  Furthermore, criminals who are carrying illegal guns aren't going to disclose that they are breaking the law. 

Please contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee immediately and ask that they support HB 4145 without a “duty to inform” amendment. Committee contact information can be found below.

House Judiciary Committee

Delegate John Scott (R-Mercer, 27), Chairman
(304) 340-3252
john.shott@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Patrick Lane (R-Kanawha, 38), Vice-Chair
(304) 340-3252
patrick.lane@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Tim Manchin (D-Marion, 50), Minority Chair
(304) 340-3331

Delegate Stephen Skinner (D-Jefferson, 67), Vice-Minority Chair
(304) 340-3248
Stephen.skinner@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Mike Azinger (R-Wood, 10)
(304) 340-3202
mike.azinger@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Frank Deem (R-Wood, 10)
(304) 340-3137
frank.deem@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Tom Fast (R-Fayette, 32)
(304) 340-3170
tom.fast@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Michael Folk (R-Berkeley, 63)
(304) 340-3350
Michael.folk@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Geoff Foster (R-Putnam, 15)
(304) 340-3121
Geoff.foster@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Roger Hanshaw (R-Clay, 33)
(304) 340-3135
roger.hanshaw@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Lynwood Ireland (R-Ritchie, 07)
(304) 340-3195
woody.ireland@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Kayla Kessinger (R-Fayette, 32)
(304) 340-3197
kayla.kessinger@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate John McCuskey (R-Kanawha, 35)
(304) 340-3183
john.mccuskey@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate John Overington (R-Berkeley, 62)
(304) 340-3148
john.overington@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Kelli Sobonya (R-Cabell, 18)
(304) 340-3175
kelli.sobonya@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Amy Summers (R-Taylor, 49)
(304) 340-3139
amy.summer@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Ryan Weld (R-Brooke, 02)
(304) 340-3367
ryan.weld@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Mark Zatezalo (R-Hancock, 01)
(304) 340-3120
mark.zatezalo@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Andrew Byrd (D-Kanawha, 35)
(304) 340-3362
Andrew.byrd@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Barbara Evans Fleischauer (D-Monongalia, 51)
(304) 340-3127
barbaraf@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Shawn Fluharty (D-Ohio, 03)
(304) 340-3270
shawn.fluharty@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Justin Marcum (D-Mingo, 20)
(304) 340-3126
justin.marcum@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Clif Moore (D-McDowell, 26)
(304) 340-3165
clif.moore@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Larry Rowe (D-Kanawha, 36)
(304) 340-3287
larry.rowe@wvhouse.gov  

Delegate Steven Shaffer (D-Preston, 52)
(304) 340-3160
steve.shaffer@wvhouse.gov