How To Get Your West Virginia Concealed Carry Permit
Whether you're new to owning a firearm or have had a gun for home defense for years, getting a concealed handgun permit may seem daunting. It doesn't have to be. There are many reasons and ways to carry a concealed weapon, but the first step is knowing West Virginia's concealed carry laws. Applying for a CHL varies by state.
Read about the process for getting a West Virginia Concealed Handgun License below.
Steps To Get A West Virginia Concealed Carry Permit
COMPLETE a firearms training course
DOWNLOAD and complete the application form. You will have to get it notarized.
FILE your notarized application at the sheriff’s office for the county in which you reside or any county sheriff’s office for non-residents. You will need the following:
- Firearms course certificate
- Passport-style photo
- Driver’s license/ID card
Pay the fee.
HOLD TIGHT
The sheriff will conduct an investigation relative to the information contained in the application as required by state law. Upon completion of the investigation and if a license to carry a concealed pistol/revolver is approved and issued, you will pay an additional $25 fee to the sheriff.
The sheriff will immediately forward to the state police a certified copy of the approved application and will forward the $25 fee within 30 days.
You will be contacted when the license is ready to be picked up.
Find a CCW Training Class
What Are the Firearms Training Requirements in West Virginia?
West Virginia does require training to receive a CHL. The successful completion of any of the following courses fulfills this training requirement:
- Any official National Rifle Association (NRA) handgun safety or training course
- Any handgun safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by an official law-enforcement organization, community college, junior college, college or private or public institution, or organization or handgun training school utilizing instructors duly certified by the institution
- Any handgun training or safety course or class conducted by a handgun instructor certified as such by the state or by the NRA
- Any handgun training or safety course or class conducted by any branch of the United States military, Reserve or National Guard
In order to satisfy the handgun safety and training course requirement, proof of actual live firing of ammunition by the applicant is required.
What Are the West Virginia License to Carry a Handgun Requirements?
An applicant must:
- Be 21 years of age or older (individuals between the ages of 18 and 20 may apply for a provisional license to carry);
- Have completed a training course in the handling and firing of a handgun that meets the requirements of state law;
- Be a bona fide United States citizen or legal resident;
- Not be addicted to alcohol or a controlled substance or drug, and is not “an unlawful user thereof,” as evidenced by either of the following within the 3 years immediately prior to the application: residential or court-ordered treatment for alcoholism or alcohol detoxification or drug treatment; or two or more convictions for driving while under the influence or driving while impaired;
- Not have been convicted of a felony, (unless the conviction has been expunged or set aside or the applicant’s civil rights have been restored or the applicant has been pardoned for the offense);
- Not have been convicted of a “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence,” as defined under federal law;
- Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of violence within the 5 years immediately preceding the application;
- Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor offense of assault or battery under any state law against a current or former spouse, intimate partner, person with whom the defendant cohabited, a parent or guardian, child or member of the household;
- Not be under indictment for a felony offense or is not currently serving a sentence of confinement, parole, probation or other court-ordered supervision imposed by a court of any jurisdiction, or is the subject of an emergency or temporary domestic violence protective order, or is the subject of a final domestic violence protective order entered by a court of any jurisdiction;
- Not have been adjudicated mentally incompetent or involuntarily committed to a mental institution, unless the person presents a court order reflecting that the person is no longer under the disability and the applicant’s right to possess or receive a firearm have been restored;
- Not be otherwise prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm by state law; and
- Meet federal law requirements.
*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of West Virginia.
What are the Fees and Terms?
$25-100 Initial Permit Pending Resident or Non-Resident plus $25 Background Check Fee
$25 Permit Renewals
Valid for Five Years from Date of Issue
45 Day Processing
Where Can I Find Application Forms?
What Concealed Carry Permit Options Exist Based on Residency?
Non-Resident Concealed Carry Licenses:
As of July 6, 2021, the State issues licenses to non-residents. The process is the same as for residents.
Residency Changes:
Moving to West Virginia and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply?West Virginia issues licenses to residents and members of the military permanently posted in WV only. You can apply for your license to the sheriff of your county once you have established your residence in that county.
Moving from West Virginia and have a West Virginia resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your West Virginia license remains valid?If a person with a West Virginia concealed handgun license establishes residency in another state, the license expires upon the establishment of residence in the other state.
How Do I Renew My Concealed Carry Permit in West Virginia?
Download the application form.
DOWNLOAD the application form
FILE your completed and notarized application at the sheriff’s office for the county in which you reside or any county sheriff's office for non-residents. You will need the following:
- Passport-style photo; and
- Driver’s license/ID card.
Pay the fee.
HANG TIGHT
The sheriff will conduct an investigation relative to the information contained in the application as required by state law. Upon completion of the investigation and if a license to carry a concealed pistol/revolver is approved and issued, you will pay an additional $25 fee to the sheriff.
The sheriff will immediately forward to the state police a certified copy of the approved application and will forward the $25 fee within 30 days.
You will be contacted when the license is ready to be picked up.
The USCCA has the CCW Permit Resources You Need
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Make sure you understand West Virginia Gun Laws and West Virginia concealed carry reciprocity with other states.