West Virginia State Law Summary

Last updated April 18, 2011

In the publication Gun Laws Matter: A Comparison of State Firearms Laws and Statistics, LCAV ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 25 different firearms-related policy areas. West Virginia ranked 26 out of 50 – having enacted few gun violence prevention laws.

West Virginia does not:

• Require a background check prior to the transfer of a firearm between private parties;

• Prohibit the transfer or possession of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles, or large capacity ammunition magazines;

• License or significantly regulate firearms dealers;

• Limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time;

• Regulate unsafe handguns;

• Require the licensing of gun owners; or

• Impose registration requirements on firearms.

Local governments in West Virginia generally lack authority to regulate firearms and ammunition. West Virginia affords local law enforcement some discretion in issuing concealed carry licenses, however.

West Virginia ranks 10th among the states in number of gun deaths per capita.  In 2007, 267 people died from firearm-related injuries in West Virginia. In 2009, West Virginia supplied the 2nd highest number of crime guns to other states per capita, and the state exports far more crime guns than it imports.

For details about specific firearms laws in West Virginia, choose a topic below.

Overview State "Right to Bear Arms" Statistics Local Authority to Regulate Firearms
State Firearms Policies Persons Prohibited from Firearm Possession Prohibited Purchasers Generally Minimum Age to Purchase / Possess Domestic Violence & Firearms Disarming Prohibited Persons Sales & Transfers Background Checks Mental Health Reporting Multiple Purchases / Sales of Firearms Retention of Sales / Background Check Records Waiting Periods Gun Dealers & Other Sellers Dealer Regulations Private Sales Gun Shows Immunity Statutes Gun Owner Responsibilities Licensing of Gun Owners / Purchasers Registration of Firearms Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms	Firearms in Public Places Concealed Weapons Permitting Open Carrying Location Restrictions Guns in Vehicles Guns in Schools Other Location Restrictions Consumer & Child Safety Design Safety Standards for Handguns Locking Devices Personalized / Owner-Authorized Firearms Child Access Prevention Classes of Weapons / Ammunition Assault Weapons Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines Fifty Caliber Rifles Machine Guns / Automatic Firearms Non-Powder Guns Ammunition Regulation Investigating Gun Crimes Microstamping / Ballistic Identification Trafficking
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