Bill > SB469

This bill lowers the minimum age for carrying a concealed deadly weapon in West Virginia from 21 to 18 years old, effectively creating a "constitutional carry" policy for younger adults. The legislation modifies existing state law to allow individuals 18 and older to carry a concealed weapon without needing a special license, provided they are U.S. citizens or legal residents and are not otherwise prohibited from firearm possession (such as individuals with certain criminal histories, those with domestic violence protective orders, or those with specific mental health conditions). The bill maintains penalties for unlawful weapon carrying: for a first offense, an individual could be fined between $100 and $1,000 and potentially face up to 12 months in jail, while subsequent offenses could result in a felony charge with imprisonment of 1-5 years and fines of $1,000-$5,000. Additionally, the bill preserves existing exemptions from licensing fees for certain judicial officers and prosecutors. By lowering the age requirement, the legislation aims to expand firearm carrying rights for young adults in West Virginia, aligning with a broader trend of constitutional carry laws in some states.

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http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=469&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill