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West Virginia2026Enacted

HB4106

Allowing Constitutional Carry for West Virginians Aged 18 to 20

Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 11:08 AM

In one sentence

This law allows people aged 18 and older in West Virginia who are not legally prohibited from owning firearms to carry a concealed deadly weapon without first obtaining a license.

What it does

  • Repeals the crime of carrying a deadly weapon without a license for persons under age 21.
  • Allows any person aged 18 or older, who is not legally prohibited from possessing firearms, to carry a concealed deadly weapon without first obtaining a license.
  • Clarifies that minors (under 18) unlawfully carrying a deadly weapon may be treated as delinquent offenders similar to those violating existing firearm possession laws.
  • Maintains penalties for people who are legally banned from owning or possessing firearms.

Who it affects

  • West Virginia residents aged 18 through 20 years old.
  • Persons legally prohibited from possessing firearms due to criminal history, mental health adjudications, illegal drug use, or other state and federal restrictions.
  • Judicial officers and prosecutors who are exempt from licensing fees but must still meet training requirements.

Limits and unknowns

  • The law does not change the list of people who are already banned from possessing firearms under state and federal laws.
  • The effective date is set for 90 days after passage (June 12, 2026), so changes do not take effect immediately upon signing.

Plain language

Terms to know

Constitutional carry
The right to carry a concealed weapon without obtaining a government license or permit first, provided the person is not legally prohibited from owning firearms.
Prohibited person
An individual legally barred from possessing firearms due to factors like felony convictions, domestic violence offenses, mental health commitments, illegal drug use, or being an unlawful alien.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill textStored full record

Official summary

Allowing constitutional carry for 18- to 20-year-olds

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Chapter 75, Acts, Regular Session, 2026H
  2. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026H
  3. To Governor 3/25/2026H
  4. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House JournalH
  5. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate JournalS
  6. To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate JournalS
  7. Completed legislative actionS
  8. Communicated to HouseS
  9. Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 701)S
  10. House Message receivedS
  11. Communicated to SenateH
  12. House concurred in Senate amendment with amendment (Roll No. 688)H
  13. Motion to reconsiderH
  14. House concurred in Senate amendment with amendment (Roll No. 596)H
  15. House refused to agree to Senate title amendment (Voice vote)H
  16. House received Senate messageH
  17. Senate requests House to concurS
  18. Passed Senate with amended title (Roll No. 530)S
  19. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)S
  20. Read 3rd timeS

Changes

Amendments

8 stored

hb4106 hfa akers 3-13 _1 adopted adopted.htm

Adopted

hb4106 hfa akers 3-13 _1 adopted.htm

Adopted

hb4106 hfa akers 3-13 _1.htm

Filed

hb4106 hfa hornbuckle 2-16 revised rejected.htm

Rejected

hb4106 hfa hornbuckle 2-16 revised.htm

Filed

hb4106 hfa hornbuckle 2-16.htm

Filed

hb4106 hfat mcgeehan 3-14 adopted.htm

Adopted

hb4106 hfat mcgeehan 3-14.htm

Filed