House Bill 4955 to reduce the application fee for a License to Carry Deadly Weapons (LCDW) is currently before the Senate Finance Committee for consideration. Unfortunately, a number of sheriffs have lobbied against reducing the fee because they want to maintain their revenue stream from selling rights back to citizens. This is despite the sheriffs testifying in 2016 during the fight for constitutional carry that they would give away the permits for free if they could.
Your help is needed immediately on this critical bill! Please contact committee members and ask them to SUPPORT HB 4955.
House Bill 4955 reduces the current $75 fee for a LCDW to $25 and eliminates the fee for honorably discharged military veterans. West Virginia already allows law-abiding adults to carry a handgun to defend themselves without first having to pay fees or obtain government permission, but that ends at the state line. Many West Virginians still choose to get a LCDW in order to exercise their right to carry in other states that recognize West Virginia’s permit. West Virginia currently has the highest fee for resident permits when compared to neighboring states. This fee reduction helps ensure that West Virginians of any financial means are able to defend themselves when traveling.
Again, please contact committee members and ask them to SUPPORT HB 4955.