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open carry WV

cyras21

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2007
Messages
152
Location
Stepehens City, VA
Any of you open carry in WV? Ever have any problems with the police? The reason I ask is I was helping a friend with his concealed permit and came across the following:


It is important to note that while West Virginia is an “open carry” state the ability to carry openly is
deemed by law enforcement to apply only to West Virginia residents. West Virginia law enforcement’s
interpretation of “open carry” is that the handgun must be visible from three sides.

http://www.wvago.gov/pdf/BookletWVFirearmLaws.pdf
 

jmelvin

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2008
Messages
2,195
Location
Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
Any of you open carry in WV? Ever have any problems with the police? The reason I ask is I was helping a friend with his concealed permit and came across the following:


It is important to note that while West Virginia is an “open carry” state the ability to carry openly is
deemed by law enforcement to apply only to West Virginia residents. West Virginia law enforcement’s
interpretation of “open carry” is that the handgun must be visible from three sides.

http://www.wvago.gov/pdf/BookletWVFirearmLaws.pdf

I've OCed in WV nearly every time I've been there in the past 2 years. The only exception is within the city of Charleston. Over the past 2 years I'd guess I've probably spent 10 days or so there, so my opportunity hasn't been vast, but it's something. I've never had the first problem.
 

twoskinsonemanns

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2012
Messages
2,326
Location
WV
I'm not a VA resident, but I would like to say that there is no law stating that you have to be a WV resident to OC in WV.
Also there is no WV law or case law that I know of that determines a gun has to be seen from 3 sides. That is a myth. I know you said that is was "law enforcement's interpretation" but it is wrong.
I've never been hassled by cops, and my very good friend who is a WV State Trooper says he doesn't know any cops that have a problem with OCing.

Of course a man was just arrested as a terrorist for running around with a bb gun so YMMV
 
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peter nap

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
13,551
Location
Valhalla
I'm not a VA resident, but I would like to say that there is no law stating that you have to be a WV resident to OC in WV.
Also there is no WV law or case law that I know of that determines a gun has to be seen from 3 sides. That is a myth. I know you said that is was "law enforcement's interpretation" but it is wrong.
I've never been hassled by cops, and my very good friend who is a WV State Trooper says he doesn't know any cops that have a problem with OCing.

Of course a man was just arrested as a terrorist for running around with a bb gun so YMMV


Boy....you have no idea how tempting it is to play Tanner with that and say:

"But I need to see a law that says it isn't a law::banana::monkey:lol::lol:

Everyone is a terrorist....I'm a terrorist but I drowned (Sorry, more private humor)
 
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Tanner

Regular Member
Joined
May 10, 2012
Messages
474
Location
Chesterfield, Virginia, United States
I'm not a VA resident, but I would like to say that there is no law stating that you have to be a WV resident to OC in WV.
Also there is no WV law or case law that I know of that determines a gun has to be seen from 3 sides. That is a myth. I know you said that is was "law enforcement's interpretation" but it is wrong.
I've never been hassled by cops, and my very good friend who is a WV State Trooper says he doesn't know any cops that have a problem with OCing.

Of course a man was just arrested as a terrorist for running around with a bb gun so YMMV

Boy....you have no idea how tempting it is to play Tanner with that and say:

"But I need to see a law that says it isn't a law::banana::monkey:lol::lol:

Everyone is a terrorist....I'm a terrorist but I drowned (Sorry, more private humor)




Ok ill take that one. :banghead:
But peter were you the one arrested for carrying a BB gun? After all I would understand the confusion. Since you carried that little baby gun! :banana::banana::banana:

I think I win this round! :monkey:monkey
 

peter nap

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
13,551
Location
Valhalla
Ok ill take that one. :banghead:
But peter were you the one arrested for carrying a BB gun? After all I would understand the confusion. Since you carried that little baby gun! :banana::banana::banana:

I think I win this round! :monkey:monkey

:p

And no, I drowned leaving my camera bag with my Taser and 1911 in it:uhoh:
 

cyras21

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2007
Messages
152
Location
Stepehens City, VA
not sure why this was moved to the WV section since it pertains to out of staters traveling to WV. Was hoping for those of in VA close to the border responding.
 

Dreamer

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2009
Messages
5,360
Location
Grennsboro NC
I grew up in WV, but didn't start routinely carrying until I lived in VA and NC.

I have OCed in WV many times in the last 5 or 6 years--while I was a resident of MD and NC. I have never even been approached by an LEO.

I have OCed in Martinsburg, Charlestown, Harpers Ferry, Berkeley Springs and Shepherdstown. Wheeling, Elm Grove, Moundsville, New Martinsville, Paden City and Sistersville. Morgantown, Beckley and Bluefield.

And never once have I been hassled, detained, stopped, or even approached by an LEO.

YMMV, however...
 

Chewyfool

New member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Messages
1
Location
Barboursville,WV
WV laws

being a volunteer fire fighter and a regular fisher/off roader you all have got me wanting to do this OC here in wv. I just spent the time looking and reading many of the stories and well i think im gunna give it a shot exspecially on brush fires lol wish me luck boys...lets see what the cops round here think lolz.
 

Sig229

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2006
Messages
926
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
being a volunteer fire fighter and a regular fisher/off roader you all have got me wanting to do this OC here in wv. I just spent the time looking and reading many of the stories and well i think im gunna give it a shot exspecially on brush fires lol wish me luck boys...lets see what the cops round here think lolz.

You should be okay.

I would worry about my sidearm getting too hot walking around brush fires though.
When I was out in Wyoming I was helping with a forest fire once near Laramie and my god, it was like hell on earth!
 

Dreamer

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2009
Messages
5,360
Location
Grennsboro NC
being a volunteer fire fighter and a regular fisher/off roader you all have got me wanting to do this OC here in wv. I just spent the time looking and reading many of the stories and well i think im gunna give it a shot exspecially on brush fires lol wish me luck boys...lets see what the cops round here think lolz.


The only thing you want to check is the laws when you are fishing, or if you are off-raoding during hunting season (or out of season). You need to check the Fish and Wildlife codes, NOT the criminal codes.

WV's Department of Natural Resources has it's own set of laws regarding carry in the woods and on lakes, streams and rivers, and most of them are in direct violation of the WV Constitution, and are a violation of WV's State Preemption laws. But that doesn't stop them from issuing citations, arresting people, and confiscating their firearms, and unfortunately, the courts have traditionally ruled on the side of the DNR.

OC in town is one thing. OC in the woods, or on a creek bank is another thing altogether in WV...
 
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