WEST VIRGINIA · FIREARMS
Firearms
Firearms laws in West Virginia (1970)
Permitted
Summary
Open carry: legal at 18 without a permit. Concealed: permitless at 21+ (provisional permit at 18-20).
Notable
Permitless concealed carry for residents 21+; out-of-state carry by permit only.
Penalties
Firearms is permitted in West Virginia — but the limits and penalties still bite. See exactly what crosses the line.
Exceptions & nuances
Even where firearms is permitted in West Virginia, location, conduct, and possession rules still apply. See the exceptions that matter.
Statute
Read the exact West Virginia statute covering firearms — the citation when you want to verify the source.
Last updated: May 28, 2026
LawLert is informational only — not legal advice. Verify with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.