A wealth of info about carrying in WV here:
http://www.wvcdl.org/
The Gospel, according to Saint Darrell V. McGraw, Jr. Attorney General of West Virginia
http://www.wvago.gov/pdf/BookletWVFirearmLaws.pdf
West Virginia is a traditional open carry state but there are some grandfathered local open carry bans not preempted by state law, such as the City of Charleston. There is complete state preemption of all firearms laws, but any local laws passed before preemption remain in effect.
Places Off-Limits Even With A Permit/License
§61-7-11a.
Court Houses.
Family Law Masters Office.
Magistrates Office.
Primary and Secondary School Property including School buses.
Any facility that is being used for a Primary or Secondary School Function while that function is
going on.
Vocational Education Building
Any where a sign is posted saying no Firearms Allowed. The signs do not have to be of any set size
or design.
Regional jails, detention facilities or State Division of Corrections facilities and their grounds.
Any property where firearms are prohibited by the owner or operator.
Law Enforcement Offices or Stations.
§61-6-19. WV Capitol Building and Grounds.
(b) It is unlawful for any person to bring upon the state capitol complex any weapon as defined by the
provisions of section two, article seven of this chapter.
Charleston WV Local Ordinance. (This ordinance was grandfathered when WV passed their Carry
Laws.)
Sec. 78-165. Carrying weapons upon municipal public property. It shall be unlawful for any person to carry
on or about his person any revolver or pistol, dirk, bowie knife, slingshot, razor, billy, metallic or other
false knuckles, or other dangerous or deadly weapon of like kind or character in or upon city hall, municipal
auditorium, the civic center, and all parks and recreation buildings ad facilities, including recreation centers,
playgrounds, swimming pools, dressing areas, tennis courts, parks and recreation areas and all other buildings, structures, facilities, and grounds thereof, owned or occupied by the City of Charleston; however,
the provisions of this section shall not apply to city, county, sate and federal law enforcement officers and to
exhibitors and performers at city-sanctioned events who obtain advance written authorization from the chief
of police. (Ord. No. 4941, 4-19-1993; Bill No. 7103, 12-6-2004)
Dunbar WV Local Ordinance (This ordinance was grandfathered when WV passed their Carry
Laws.)
545.13 Weapons at Municipal Buildings and Parks (Ordinances no longer online)
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person armed with a firearm or other dangerous weapon, including those
which have been licensed but excepting those lawfully issued to members of a Federal, State, County or
Municipal Law Enforcement Department to carry, brandish, or holster such weapon at Dunbar City Hall.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person armed with a firearm or other dangerous weapon including those
which have been licensed but excepting those lawfully issued to members of a Federal, State, County or
Municipal Law Enforcement Department to carry, brandish, holster or store such weapon at any City
municipal building or any City owned park.
(c) A sign shall be posted at Dunbar City Hall and other municipal buildings and parks which shall read as
follows:
Notice
All Persons Entering This Building Are Subject To Search:
Any And All Weapons Or Contraband Will Be Confiscated With The Potential Of Criminal Prosecution.
- Weapons Subject To Confiscation -
Revolvers, Pistols, Rifles, Shotguns, Dirk, Blackjack, Knife (Except Those Knives Being Utilized As A
Utensil At A Picnic Or Party, Or Those Knives Used As An Work Instrument By Employees Or
Contractors), Sling Shot, Razor, Billy, Metallic Or False Knuckles, Tear Gas, Or Other Deadly Weapon Of
Like Character Or Any Facsimile Thereof That Is Intended Or Readily Adaptable For Use Which May
Produce Death Or Serious Bodily Harm.
(d) Whoever violates this section shall, for a first offense, be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(e) If any portion of this section is found to be unconstitutional or unlawful for any reason those portions
which are not deemed unconstitutional or unlawful shall be severed and shall retain their full force and
meaning. (Ord. 566. Passed 9-3-96.)
South Charleston, WV Local Ordinance (This ordinance was grandfathered when WV passed their
Carry Laws.)
545.15 Possession of Weapon Prohibited on City Property.
No person other than an authorized law enforcement official shall bring into or have in his possession in
any City-owned building, park or recreation area, any revolver, pistol, dirk, bowie knife, razor, gunshot,
www.handgunlaw.us 4
billy, metallic or other false knuckles, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon of like kind or character.
(Ord. 1867. Passed 11-3-94.)
State Preemption
§8-12-5a. Limitations Upon Municipalities' Power to Restrict The Purchase, Possession, Transfer,
Ownership, Carrying, Transport, Sale and Storage of Certain Weapons and Ammunition.
The provisions of section five of this article notwithstanding, neither a municipality nor the governing body
of any municipality may limit the right of any person to purchase, possess, transfer, own, carry, transport,
sell or store any revolver, pistol, rifle or shotgun or any ammunition or ammunition components to be used
therewith nor to so regulate the keeping of gunpowder so as to directly or indirectly prohibit the ownership
of the ammunition.
Nothing herein shall in any way impair the authority of any municipality, or the governing body thereof, to
enact any ordinance or resolution respecting the power to arrest, convict and punish any individual under the
provisions of subdivision (16), section five of this article or from enforcing any such ordinance or resolution:
Provided, That any municipal ordinance in place as of the effective date of this section shall be excepted
from the provisions of this section: Provided, however, That no provision in this section may be construed to
limit the authority of a municipality to restrict the commercial use of real estate in designated areas through
planning or zoning ordinances.
