West Virginia concealed carry laws and reciprocity

West Virginia's dangerous-weapons article contains no requirement to notify an officer or to display a license on request; out-of-state permit holders must keep the permit in their immediate possession (§ 61-7-6a).

Permitless carry under § 61-7-7(c) has no vehicle exception, so eligible people 18 or older may carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle without a license; school and Capitol Complex parking areas have separate rules.

Any U.S. citizen or legal resident at least 18 years old who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm may carry a concealed deadly weapon without a license (W. Va. Code § 61-7-7(c)); HB 4106 lowered the age from 21 to 18 effective June 12, 2026. It applies to non-residents.

County sheriffs shall issue an optional concealed handgun license to qualified applicants 21 or older who complete live-fire handgun training (§ 61-7-4); residents 18-20 may obtain a provisional license (§ 61-7-4a).

Non-residents who are legal residents or citizens of another state may apply to any county sheriff for a nonresident concealed handgun license (§ 61-7-4(a)(2)).

The Attorney General's guide states that West Virginia allows permitless open carry of firearms, subject to prohibited places and the ban on carrying in a manner that threatens a breach of the peace (§ 61-7-11).

Carrying onto property where the owner prohibits firearms is not itself a crime and no posting is required; refusing to surrender the firearm or leave when asked is a misdemeanor (§ 61-7-14). Owners may not bar firearms locked out of view in a vehicle in a parking lot.

Neither W. Va. Code chapter 61, article 7 nor the Attorney General's list of locations where firearms are forbidden or restricted includes bars or restaurants that serve alcohol, so this value rests on the absence of a statutory ban; an owner may still prohibit firearms, and refusing to leave or surrender the weapon when asked is a misdemeanor under W. Va. Code 61-7-14.

The Attorney General states that people not prohibited from possessing firearms may carry a handgun for self-defense in all state parks, forests, wildlife management areas and rail trails; rifles and shotguns must be cased in recreational facilities and on marked trails. Corps of Engineers land follows federal rules.

Places of worship are not among the locations where the Attorney General's guide lists firearms as forbidden by law; as private property, the owner may prohibit firearms under § 61-7-14.

Since July 1, 2024, license holders may carry a concealed pistol or revolver on state college and university campuses and in campus buildings, but institutions may bar it in listed areas such as large stadium events, daycare facilities, disciplinary hearing rooms, secured areas and residence hall rooms (§ 18B-4-5b). Visible carry is prohibited.

The Attorney General lists firearms as forbidden or restricted on federal property where federal law bars them, the State Capitol Complex (locked vehicles excepted), regional jails and correctional facilities, courthouses and court facilities, K-12 school buses, buildings, grounds and school-sponsored functions (limited vehicle exception for license holders), and municipally owned buildings where a municipal ordinance prohibits them. Private owners may also prohibit firearms (§ 61-7-14).

W. Va. Code § 55-7-22(c) provides that a person not engaged in unlawful activity who is attacked outside the home may use deadly force without a duty to retreat if they reasonably believe they face imminent death or serious bodily harm; the section is framed as civil relief.

West Virginia's dangerous-weapons article contains no magazine-capacity restriction.

West Virginia's dangerous-weapons article contains no assault-weapon ban.

West Virginia's dangerous-weapons article contains no suppressor prohibition, and § 61-7-16 requires chief law enforcement officers to process federal NFA certifications for eligible applicants.

West Virginia's dangerous-weapons article contains no short-barreled rifle prohibition; federal NFA rules apply and § 61-7-16 governs chief law enforcement officer certifications.

West Virginia's dangerous-weapons article contains no short-barreled shotgun prohibition; federal NFA rules apply and § 61-7-16 governs chief law enforcement officer certifications.