There are countless ways that I am offended by the State, the County, and simply put -- most of the short-bussers that I encounter once I leave the house. The West Virginia situation, though, does not rise to the level of causing me more alarm.
I am not sure of West Virgini's current permitting system, but earlier this year West Virginia switched to being a "constitutional carry" state -- so no permit at all. I haven't looked, but they may have kept the permits for recipricocity (for those wanting to take advantage of such a thing).
As bad as Delaware's process may be, it is less instrusive and costly than many. It is a may-issue that effectively operates as a shall-issue, as long as there are no hiccups (or ex-wives) in a person's past. And the only major obstacle added in the last twenty years was the training requirement. We're also lucky (I know, I know -- I just puked after typing that word) in the fact that we don't need a road map of places where we can and cannot carry. For the most part, strap it on, walk out of the house -- and you're good. Of course, I always see darkness in the sky, due to our proximity to America's dual-anus area (Jersey and Maryland -- which gains further support from DC and New York).
Personally, if I were to go to battle for any recipricocity issue -- it would be for Maryland.
West Virginians need to still get a state permit if they wish to carry in other states that require one. Unfortunately Maryland has reciprocity with no other state and will most likely remain that way until they lift the "good and substantial" reason that is required for a resident to acquire one. Apparently, protecting ones own life or those of a loved one isn't good enough. If a WV resident who has a WV CCW can carry in Delaware with just a simple form and a background check, then as a resident of Delaware, I should be able to do the same. It's a double standard. Case in point, NH Supreme court recently ruled that it was unconstitutional for that state to deny a non-residence a carry permit if they DID NOT already have a carry permit in their home state.
We have to pick our battles. Frankly, I am not willing to battle over reciprocal arrangements with a non-border state. If we're going to press for something important, that may be one thing. Otherwise, we may end up with the patchwork of places that we can and can't go, or at least moving in that direction -- as the West Virginia statute cited at the very bottom indicates.
It is also important to note that the applicable state for obtaining a West Virginia license to carry a deadly weapon includes a course requirement. That is why Delaware has an agreement with them.
Sorry for the perhaps-difficult-to-read formatting, but not all sites like iPad formatting.
WEST VIRGINIA CODE
§61-7-4.
License to carry deadly weapons; how obtained.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (h) of this section, any person desiring to obtain a state license to carry a concealed deadly weapon shall apply to the sheriff of his or her county for the license, and pay to the sheriff, at the time of application, a fee of $75, of which $15 of that amount shall be deposited in the Courthouse Facilities Improvement Fund created by section six, article twenty-six, chapter twenty-nine of this code. Concealed weapons permits may only be issued for pistols or revolvers. Each applicant shall file with the sheriff a complete application, as prepared by the Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police, in writing, duly verified, which sets forth only the following licensing requirements:
(11) That the applicant has qualified under the minimum requirements set forth in subsection (d) of this section for handling and firing the weapon: Provided, That this requirement shall be waived in the case of a renewal applicant who has previously qualified; and
(d) All persons applying for a license must complete a training course in handling and firing a handgun. The successful completion of any of the following courses fulfills this training requirement:
(1) Any official National Rifle Association handgun safety or training course;
(2) Any handgun safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by an official law-enforcement organization, community college, junior college, college or private or public institution or organization or handgun training school utilizing instructors certified by the institution;
(3) Any handgun training or safety course or class conducted by a handgun instructor certified as such by the state or by the National Rifle Association;
(4) Any handgun training or safety course or class conducted by any branch of the United States Military, Reserve or National Guard or proof of other handgun qualification received while serving in any branch of the United States Military, Reserve or National Guard.
A photocopy of a certificate of completion of any of the courses or classes or an affidavit from the instructor, school, club, organization or group that conducted or taught the course or class attesting to the successful completion of the course or class by the applicant or a copy of any document which shows successful completion of the course or class is evidence of qualification under this section.
WEST VIRGINIA CODE. §61-7-14. Right of certain persons to limit possession of firearms on premises.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this article, any owner, lessee or other person charged with the care, custody and control of real property may prohibit the carrying openly or concealed of any firearm or deadly weapon on property under his or her domain:Provided, That for purposes of this section "person" means an individual or any entity which may acquire title to real property.
Any person carrying or possessing a firearm or other deadly weapon on the property of another who refuses to temporarily relinquish possession of such firearm or other deadly weapon, upon being requested to do so, or to leave such premises, while in possession of such firearm or other deadly weapon, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or confined in the county jail not more than six months, or both: Provided, That the provisions of this section shall not apply to those persons set forth in subsections (3) through (6) of section six of this code while such persons are acting in an official capacity: Provided, however, That under no circumstances may any person possess or carry or cause the possession or carrying of any firearm or other deadly weapon on the premises of any primary or secondary educational facility in this state unless such person is a law-enforcement officer or he or she has the express written permission of the county school superintendent.
