Is West Virginia a Constitutional Carry State?
Woody's answers are based on published federal and state law. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.
Yes, West Virginia is a constitutional carry state. As of 2016, you can carry concealed firearms without a permit if you're legally allowed to possess them.
What This Means for You
This means you don't need to jump through permit hoops to carry your builds concealed in West Virginia. The state still issues concealed carry permits for reciprocity with other states, but they're optional for in-state carry. You still need to meet federal requirements for firearm possession.
The Detail
West Virginia adopted constitutional carry in 2016, allowing anyone who can legally possess a firearm to carry it concealed without a permit. This applies to residents and non-residents alike when they're in the state. The law covers handguns specifically, and you still need to follow all federal firearm laws and restrictions.
The state continues to issue concealed handgun licenses for those who want them, primarily for reciprocity when traveling to other states. Many carriers still get permits because constitutional carry doesn't guarantee recognition in other jurisdictions. West Virginia's permit system remains shall-issue for those who meet the requirements.
There are still prohibited places where you cannot carry, such as federal buildings, schools, and certain government facilities. Private property owners can also restrict carry on their premises. The constitutional carry law doesn't override federal Gun-Free School Zone restrictions or other federal limitations.
Age restrictions apply under constitutional carry. You need to verify the specific age requirements with official state resources, as these details can affect your legal carry status. Federal age restrictions for handgun possession still apply regardless of state constitutional carry laws.
Build Impact
Your builds that result in concealable firearms can be carried without permits in West Virginia, assuming they're federally compliant. This gives you more flexibility in how you design and configure your builds for carry purposes.