West Virginia concealed carry permits now recognized in more states

People between the ages of 18 and 21 with a concealed carry permit from West Virginia can now enjoy the freedom to carry a concealed handgun into 16 different states as they travel.

---EXPANSION OF CONCEALED CARRY RIGHTS IN WV---

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced on Thursday an expansion in concealed handgun recognition for 18- to 21-year-olds, while also announcing his office maintained every existing concealed carry agreement between West Virginia and 35 other states.

This comes just after the passage and implementation of House Bill 4145, which allows qualified individuals, age 21 and older, to carry concealed handguns without a permit and, for the first time, offers a provisional license beginning at age 18.

Along with the passage of that bill, West Virginia has received written assurance from sixteen states that they will also recognize the state’s provisional licenses.

“Protecting the Second Amendment rights of West Virginians continues to be a priority,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “Our office worked very hard not only to maintain the existing agreements, but also to expand that freedom for younger West Virginians who lawfully wish to exercise their constitutional rights.”

---THE STATES ALLOWING WEST VIRGINIA PERMITS---

States agreeing to recognize both West Virginia’s traditional and provisional licenses are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and Wyoming.

Additionally, 19 other states confirmed they will continue to recognize West Virginia’s traditional concealed carry licenses. Those states are Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Additionally, many West Virginians may carry concealed without a license in Maine and Vermont.

---PERSPECTIVE FROM WEST VIRGINIA CITIZENS DEFENSE LEAGUE---

Keith Morgan, president of the West Virginia Citizens Defense League, said his group was optimistic that the new provisional licenses would be recognized in three to six states, initially believing any expansion beyond that would take years.

“The relentless tenacity with which Attorney General Patrick Morrisey’s office attacked this issue, resulting in recognition from 16 states, is quite frankly, astonishing,” Morgan said in acknowledging the effort required to secure recognition. “The number of hours of work required cannot be over stated. That we have official recognition from this many states in just five months, is more than a testament to the commitment of the Attorney General’s office to defending and recovering the recognition of our inherent human right to self-defense.”

---OBTAINING A LICENSE OR TRAVELING WITH ONE---

Every person traveling with a concealed weapon should contact any state they will enter to confirm recognition status and any local restrictions. It is the responsibility of all West Virginia concealed firearm license holders to know and understand the applicable firearm laws of the states within which they plan to visit.

Those wishing to obtain a concealed handgun license can do so by contacting their local sheriff’s office.

---MORE INFO---

For information regarding West Virginia concealed handgun licenses, please visit the Attorney General’s Gun Reciprocity page in the Related Links.