imported post
I addressed this in another thread, but I'll duplicate the post here. I'm not sure where the WV AG gets the info in their brochure, because according to the WVSP website, the State Police already KNOW that Open Carry is legal in WV, and say so in VERY clear terms in the general FAQ concerning firearms issues on their webpage.
http://www.wvstatepolice.com/legal/faq.html
And I quote (emphasis added by me):
[font="Arial,Helvetica"]Q.[/font][font="Arial,Helvetica"] Is it lawful to carry weapons (e.g. rifles, shotguns, and pistols) in my vehicle when I travel in West Virginia? [/font]
[font="Arial,Helvetica"]A. Individuals who possess a valid concealed carry permit may carry a concealed handgun in a motor vehicle for purpose of self defense only. West Virginia permits anyone who can lawfully possess a handgun to carry an unconcealed handgun. If you choose to carry an unconcealed handgun in your vehicle and are stopped by a law-enforcement officer, you must understand that that the weapon will immediately attract the attention of the police officer. The presence of the weapon may lead to action by the officer to ensure his or her safety such as the drawing of his or her weapon, ordering you from the vehicle, and/or performing a pat-down search. Weapons intended for hunting must be unloaded and in a case when transported in a vehicle. It is strongly recommended that, if you do not have a valid concealed carry permit, while traveling in a vehicle, that all firearms be unloaded and cased in a location in the vehicle that is not readily accessible to any of the occupants. Any ammunition should be stored in a separate location from the firearm. [/font]
Maybe the WV-AG should actually get on the "InterWebs" and use the "Google Machine". It wasn't difficult to find. You'd think the WVSP would be REQUIRED to clear their website through the AG's office. Either the AG's staff is not doing their job, or SOMEBODY in Charleston isn't telling the truth with regards to the WV AG's firearms pamphlet...
I hope that the good folks at WVCDL bring this WVSP website FAQ to the attention of the AG, and maybe the WVSP and WVAG can come to some sort of understanding as to what the law REALLY is in WV, and can then proceed to give out accurate information to both their own employees and the Public.
This little game of "he said-she said" that the WVAG and the WVSP is playing with regards to OC and out-of-state permit reciprocity is getting a little old...
