Plate Killer,
I OC around Martinsburg/Ranson and Charlestown regularly. Lowes, Sheets, 5 Guys, Home Depot, WalMart (Spring Mills, M'burg & Chastown), Michaels, Pet Smart, downtown M'burg and a few other place I've probably forgotten. Only once have I had someone say something. It was a lady in Lowes who asked "Why are you carrying a GUN?!?!?" To which I replied "Ma'am, I have a small penis."
You were wise to wait for your license. There is a portion of the state code which prohibits carrying a loaded firearm in a "conveyance or its attachments" and requires a person to both possess their licence AND carry the firearm "in a concealed manner".
I'd suggest you also join the West Virginia Citizens Defense League (WVCDL) facebook page, and West Virginia Open Carry (also on Facebook) you can find a lot of good info and meet up with some good local people.
While I'm on the subject of Facebook, be careful what info you believe. If the law isn't cited (and a link provided) don't believe it without researching it.
There is an Unofficial WVCDL Picnic and Range Day on July 12th in Morgan County. You are welcome to come if you'd like. I sent you a PM with my facebook contact info, hit me up and I'll send an invite.
Link to WV Code
http://www.legis.state.wv.us/wvcode/code.cfm
Code that prohibits carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle:
§20-2-5. Unlawful methods of hunting and fishing and other unlawful acts.
Except as authorized by the director, it is unlawful at any time for any person to:
(9)
Have in his or her possession a crossbow with a nocked bolt,
a loaded firearm or a firearm from the magazine of which all shells and cartridges have not been removed, in or on any vehicle or conveyance, or its attachments, within the state, except as may otherwise be provided by law or regulation. Except as hereinafter provided, between five o'clock postmeridian of one day and seven o'clock antemeridian, eastern standard time of the day following, any unloaded firearm or crossbow, being lawfully carried in accordance with the foregoing provisions, may be so carried only when in a case or taken apart and securely wrapped. During the period from July 1 to September 30, inclusive, of each year, the foregoing requirements relative to carrying certain unloaded firearms are permissible only from eight-thirty o'clock postmeridian to five o'clock antemeridian, eastern standard time: Provided, That the time periods for carrying unloaded and uncased firearms are extended for one hour after the postmeridian times and one hour before the antemeridian times established above if a hunter is preparing to or in the process of transporting or transferring the firearms to or from a hunting site, campsite, home or other place of abode;
Code that allows carrying a handgun in a vehicle:
§20-2-6a. Carrying a concealed handgun.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, a person licensed to carry a concealed weapon pursuant to the provisions of section four, article seven, chapter sixty-one of this code who is not prohibited at the time from possessing a firearm pursuant to the provisions of section seven, article seven, chapter sixty-one of this code or by any applicable federal law may carry a
handgun in a concealed manner for self defense purposes while afield hunting, hiking, camping or in or on a motor vehicle.
(b) The provisions of this section shall not exempt any person from obtaining any hunting or fishing license or stamp required by the division of natural resources.
