WV:Reform of Charleston Second Amendment Restrictions goes to Governor

Charleston, West Virginia passed a number of local ordinances restricting second amendment rights during the height of the gun control craze during the Clinton regime.  These ordinances were primarily symbolic, in that they only applied to Charleston, were easily evaded, and primarily inconvenienced Charleston residents.

When West Virginia reformed its concealed carry law to move toward recognition of the right to be armed, it grandfathered the Charleston restrictions as a political compromise.  The restrictions never made any sense except as a demonstration of the power of local governments to ignore second amendment protections.

Second amendment supporters in West Virginia have been working to rectify this situation and  bring Charleston and any other West Virginia cities who may have similar antiquated ordinances under the rule of law and the Constitution. 

This week the House passed Bill 317 by an overwhelming majority of 92-5.  The Senate had previously passed the bill unanimously.  The bill now goes to the Governor for signature.

While the bill does not restore all second amendment rights, it is an incremental step toward that end.  It removes the three day waiting period to purchase a handgun in Charleston, and the absolute ban on defensive arms in recreational facilities, allowing a person with a concealed carry permit to have a weapon in the facilities, with limitations.   It only applies to firearms, ignoring the second amendment protections on other arms such as knives.

The overwhelming support for the bill shows that further reforms are likely in the future.  West Virginia is moving toward restoring meaning to its motto: Montani Semper Liberi.   (Mountaineers are Always Free)

The NRA-ILA is monitoring the progress of this and several other bills in West Virginia.


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